Synthesis and characterization of novel polymer-ceramic nanocomposites: Organoceramics

This manuscript describes the synthesis and characterization of novel polymer-ceramic nanocomposites (organoceramics) based on various water soluble polymers and calcium aluminate hydrates. Synthesis of these materials involves the aqueous precipitation of the inorganic crystals in the presence of polymer. The presence of polymer during crystallization often leads to changes in particle morphology, and in some cases intercalation.The organoceramics based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and $\rm CaO{\cdot} Al\sb2O\sb3{\cdot} 10H\sb2O$ (CAH$\sb{10})$ were found to exhibit retarded phase transformation kinetics and unique particle morphologies. Intercalation of PVA between layers of $\rm\lbrack Ca\sb2Al(OH)\sb6\rbrack\sp+\lbrack(OH){\cdot} 3H\sb2O\rbrack\sp-$ occurred during crystal growth, resulting in an organoceramic containing up to 40% polymer by weight. Polymer intercalation resulted in an expression of the interlayer by approximately 10 A, consistent with the formation of a double layer of PVA chains across each interlayer. Thermal degradation of the inorganic and polymeric components of the organoceramic occurred at higher temperatures than the individual materials. Compressive strength of PVA organoceramic powder compacts was significantly higher than that of $\rm\lbrack Ca\sb2Al(OH)\sb6\rbrack\sp+\lbrack(OH){\cdot} 3H\sb2O\rbrack\sp-$ compacts, possibly reflecting substantial differences in particle morphologies.U of I OnlyETDs are only available to UIUC Users without author permissio