Morphology development in layered silicate thermoset nanocomposites

The role of processing temperature on the morphology development of organically modified montmorillonite-epoxy nanocomposites was examined to determine the sensitivity of exfoliation to processing and the potential to achieve desired morphologies through processing routes. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering studies were performed to relate the initiation and levels of exfoliated morphologies with time and temperature. Scattering data was correlated with key stages in morphology development to provide insight into the process-morphology relationship. Absolute temperature as well as heating rate was shown to directly affect the development of exfoliated nanocomposite morphology.