Intercalated polycarbonate/clay nanocomposites: Nanostructure control and foam processing

Intercalated polycarbonate (PC)/clay nanocomposites (PCCN)s have been prepared successfully through the melt intercalation method in the presence of a compatibilizer. The internal structure and morphology of the PCCNs has been established by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), analyses and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observations.. The morphology of these nanocomposites and degradation of the PC matrix after nanocomposites preparation can be,controlled,by varying surfactants used for the modification of clay and compatibilizer. The intercalated PCCNs exhibited remarkable improvements of mechanical properties when compared with PC without clay. We also discuss foam processing of one representative PCCN using supercritical CO2 as a foaming agent.