Emulsion Based Polymer / Clay Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization and Application in Leather Finishing

Polymer/clay nanocomposites are a new class of reinforced polymer materials containing low quantities of nanometric-sized clay particles which impart them better mechanical, thermal, electrical, barrier properties, chemical resistance, etc., making them valuable materials in many industrial applications such as; coatings, automotive, packaging, construction, and electronics, etc. They have great potential of increasing the fields of use which indicates them as likely to be involved in many various aspects of our lives in the near future. This book explains the preparation of polymer/clay nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization system and reveals a detailed study on the latex stability which arises as a challenge during nanocomposite latex preparations. The improvements of mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposite films as well as the rheological aspects of latexes which have crucial importance for coating applications are discussed. The book also includes a case application of the synthesized nanocomposite latexes as binders in leather finishing and the performance of the nanocomposite coatings is reported as well.