Mechanical response and rheological properties of polycarbonate layered-silicate nanocomposites.

The effect of clay loading on the mechanical behavior and melt state linear viscoelastic properties of intercalated polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites was investigated. At low frequencies, the linear dynamic oscillatory moduli data revealed diminished frequency dependence with increasing nanoclay loading. The 3.5 and 5 wt% clay nanocomposites exhibited dramatically altered relaxation behavior, from liquid-like to pseudo-solid-like, compared to the pure PC and the 1.5 wt% clay nanocomposite. Thermal degradation of PC resulted from the melt compounding of organo-modified nanoclays was eviden