Hot Press Technique
Hot press technique is a unique technique with features such as low cost, solventfree, and a good film with dense materials and is a fast method. The setup consists of
a weighing cylinder, heating chamber, basement, and (d) temperature controller.
Firstly, the polymer, salt, and nanoparticle are grounded in the agate pestle for the
required time. Then the obtained mixture is heated (close to melting temperature of
polymer), and the obtained slurry is sandwiched between the stainless steel
(SS blocks). Then pressure-controlled system presses the slurry, and obtained film
is used for further characterizations (Wilson and Gottesfeld 1992; Agrawal and
Chandra 2007).
Dip Coating
The dip coating’s unique feature is that it enables us to obtain high-quality film on
both sides of the substrate and is a low-cost technique. First of all, the chosen
substrate is dipped in the solvent (Brinker and Hurd 1994). The three-step process
occurs, immersion, then deposition, and drainage, followed by evaporation of the
solvent. In immersion, the substrate is immersed in solution at a desired speed that
provides sufficient time for coating. In the next step, deposition and drainage, the
substrate remains dipped in the solvent for sufficient time (dwell time) to enable
interaction of the substrate with a solvent. Now, the substrate is pulled out slowly at a
constant speed that leads to the formation of a thin film on the substrate. Then in the
final step, evaporation, the solvent is evaporated, and the substrate may be heated to
completely remove the extra solvent. The thickness and quality of the film can be
controlled by the speed of removal and density of the solution.
Melt Intercalation Technique
This is an important technique due to advantages such as being environmentally
friendly and cost-effective and not needing any solvent. One point to be noted is that
for better dispersion of nanoparticle, the optimization of thermal properties needs to
be performed as high temperature may alter the surface properties of the nanoparticle
and may degrade it. First of all, the annealing of the polymer matrix is done at high
temperatures, and then nanoparticle is added, followed by kneading the composite to
achieve uniform distribution. In conclusion, the surface modification of clay–
nanofiller, compatibility of filler with host polymer, and processing conditions affect
the dispersion of nanoparticle (Pavlidou and Papaspyrides 2008; Erceg et al. 2014).
8 Polymer Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Characterization
275
Hot press technique is a unique technique with features such as low cost, solventfree, and a good film with dense materials and is a fast method. The setup consists of
a weighing cylinder, heating chamber, basement, and (d) temperature controller.
Firstly, the polymer, salt, and nanoparticle are grounded in the agate pestle for the
required time. Then the obtained mixture is heated (close to melting temperature of
polymer), and the obtained slurry is sandwiched between the stainless steel
(SS blocks). Then pressure-controlled system presses the slurry, and obtained film
is used for further characterizations (Wilson and Gottesfeld 1992; Agrawal and
Chandra 2007).
Dip Coating
The dip coating’s unique feature is that it enables us to obtain high-quality film on
both sides of the substrate and is a low-cost technique. First of all, the chosen
substrate is dipped in the solvent (Brinker and Hurd 1994). The three-step process
occurs, immersion, then deposition, and drainage, followed by evaporation of the
solvent. In immersion, the substrate is immersed in solution at a desired speed that
provides sufficient time for coating. In the next step, deposition and drainage, the
substrate remains dipped in the solvent for sufficient time (dwell time) to enable
interaction of the substrate with a solvent. Now, the substrate is pulled out slowly at a
constant speed that leads to the formation of a thin film on the substrate. Then in the
final step, evaporation, the solvent is evaporated, and the substrate may be heated to
completely remove the extra solvent. The thickness and quality of the film can be
controlled by the speed of removal and density of the solution.
Melt Intercalation Technique
This is an important technique due to advantages such as being environmentally
friendly and cost-effective and not needing any solvent. One point to be noted is that
for better dispersion of nanoparticle, the optimization of thermal properties needs to
be performed as high temperature may alter the surface properties of the nanoparticle
and may degrade it. First of all, the annealing of the polymer matrix is done at high
temperatures, and then nanoparticle is added, followed by kneading the composite to
achieve uniform distribution. In conclusion, the surface modification of clay–
nanofiller, compatibility of filler with host polymer, and processing conditions affect
the dispersion of nanoparticle (Pavlidou and Papaspyrides 2008; Erceg et al. 2014).
8 Polymer Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Characterization
275