LCP Based Polymer Blend Nanocomposites

Abstract

Reinforcement of thermoplastic polymer matrices with liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) has been studied extensively by different research groups. Results showed thermotropic LCP generally form in situ fibrils in a polymer matrix, under suitable conditions, which can reinforce the base matrix. To achieve the in-situ fibrillation, a draw force is required to deform the rigid LCP domains into fibrillar form. This draw force can be generated by the high viscous polymer matrix on the LCP domains during blending. But unfortunately most of the polymer blends are incompatible in nature which trigger the interfacial slippage at the polymer-LCP interface and hence trim down the drag force of base matrix upon LCP domains and restricts the LCP fibrillation. To counter this incompatibility, compatibilizers have been used to increase the interfacial adhesion and LCP fibrillation. However, compatibilizers for the polymers, processed at very high temperatures, needs to be highly thermal stable to sustain that processing temperature, without degradation. This problem can be solved by the use of nanoparticles, like carbon nanotube, which are highly thermal stable and due to their high aspect ratios, they can bind the two polymer phases together.