The Open Macromolecules Journal

2012, 6 : 28-32
Published online 2012 May 4. DOI: 10.2174/1874343901206010028
Publisher ID: TOMACROJ-6-28

Interfacial Effects in Montmorillonite Filled Polyester Thin Films

Laxmi Sahu and Nandika Anne D'Souza
University of North Texas, P.O. Box 305310, Denton, TX 76203, USA.

ABSTRACT

The behavior of thin supported and non-supported films has been shown to be distinct from the bulk polymer. Separately, high surface area fillers such as montomorillonite layered silicates (MLS) result in improved properties. In this study, we investigate thin films of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with MLS. The thermal expansivity and glass transition temperature (Tg) were determined using ellipsometry. The results show that with increasing MLS concentration, the glass transition drops for the thin and thick film plateaus. For intermediate thicknesses, a modest influence of the MLS polymer interface on the characteristic length is found. The liquid layer thickness decreases with increased MLS presence.

Keywords:

Thermal expansivity, Glass transition, Thin film, Montmorillonite layered silicate, Nanocomposite..