Implement Nano-education Program: Inspired through Unusual Nanocomposites Strength

Abstract

Recently, nanotechnology has received much attention. In order to implement the nano-education into the class to have a higher impact on the students' independent thinking capability, an unusual study of earlier work was designed to allow students to understand how strength of nanocomposites was related to the types of compatibilizers used and the deformation behaviors. Styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS)/clay nanocomposites were prepared via a melt mixing technique. Two types of maleated compatibilizers, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), were incorporated to improve the dispersion of commercial organoclay (denoted as 20A) , respectively. PP-g-MA compatibilized system conferred higher tensile strength and tear strength (initiation condition) than SEBS-g-MA compatibilized system, eve n though higher dispersion of clay was found in SEBS-g-MA compatibilized system. The nanoclay conventionally claimed to enhance the mechanical properties of nanocomposites became insignificant when the deformation was confined in the nano-deformation region. These unusual results suggest that the matrix properties and compatibilize r types were crucial factors in attaining the best mechanical property performance at a specific clay content. Based on those obtained unusual results, students will be encouraged to pursue their own work in a different aspect through this problem-based learning process. The evaluation responses from students were quite positive as they were inspired to present their own work with more elaborative way by this designing approach.