Rheological behavior and wear abrasion resistance of polyethylene oxide/laponite nanocomposites

Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposite thin films were developed as clear, transparent coatings. Laponite-S, which is a synthetic layered clay, was dispersed in a polyethylene oxide matrix and solution cast onto glass slides for further testing. Rheological properties, wear abrasion resistance, and scratch resistance were tested for each sample to examine the nano-particle dispersion effects on the materials' properties. In this study, we identify and characterize the materials to be used, establish the appropriate conditions for the preparation of polymer/Laponite nanocomposite dispersions, illustrate methods for the development of PEO/Laponite-S films, and characterize the films. Results on the rheological behavior of PEO-silicate nanocomposites as a function of Laponite solids loading and PEO concentration, as well as some preliminary wear abrasion properties of the films are presented in this study.