Rheological properties and crystal morphology of poly(ethylene oxide)/clay nanocomposites

Abstract Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by a solution intercalation method. The crystallization behavior of the nanocomposites was investigated by a cross‐polarized optical microscopy (CPOM) fitted with a hot‐stage facility. A decrease in size and regularity were observed as a result of incorporation of clay into the PEO matrix. The dynamic viscoelastic behavior of PEO/organoclay nanocomposites was assessed using a strain‐controlled parallel plate rheometer. The effects of clay concentration on the rheological properties of the nanocomposites were extensively studied. A significant increase in the viscosity and storage modulus of the nanocomposites was found with increasing clay content. The reinforcing effect of the organoclay was determined by using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and compared with the theoretically calculated values. POLYM. COMPOS., © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.