A new method to prepare exfoliated UV-cured polymer/LDH nanocomposites via nanoplatelet-like LDHs modified with N-Lauroyl-glutamate

A novel approach to prepare the exfoliated polymer/layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites is reported. The key features of this method are synthesis of nanoplatelet-like organic LDH modified with N-Lauroyl-glutamate (LDH-LG) and blending LDH-LG with polyester acrylate followed by UV curing. The LDH-LG was prepared by adjusting the proportion of the oil phase in the O/W type microemulsion. From X-ray diffraction analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscope observation, the nanoscale organic LDH particles were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. The addition of LDH-LG into polyester acrylate improved the wear resistance of the nanocomposite film significantly. The coefficients of static friction, dynamic friction and gloss of nanocomposite with 2 wt% of LDH-LG decreased to 0.114 degrees, 0.062 degrees and 87.5 degrees compared with 0.856 degrees, 0.758 degrees and 94.0 degrees of the pure polymer, respectively. The thermal properties of the polymer/LDH nanocomposites were also discussed. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.