Features, questions and future challenges in layered silicates clay nanocomposites with semicrystalline polymer matrices

The present features review article discusses the crystallisation of the polymer matrix when containing silicate layers. The accent is put on nylons (polyamides) and poly(ethylene oxide) as typical hydrophilic polymers and, poly(propylene) from the hydrophobic group. The effects of the clay, either intercalated or exfoliated, on the crystallisation behaviour of the matrix are highlighted. In addition, the crucial aspects of the semicrystalline morphology of the matrix in the presence of the clay platelets are also debated. The overall crystallisation rate is reported to slow down for most of the crystallisable polymer matrices on account of a retarding growth effect exerted by the clay platelets. As far as the location of the exfoliated clay platelets in the polymer matrix is concerned, they are assumed to be rejected from the crystalline phase in the interspherulitic space.