STRENGTHENING AND STRUCTURAL ORDERING OF LAPONITE-POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL) HYBRID FILMS

Abstract

In this study, further improvement in the mechanical strength and structural ordering of hybrid films consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified Laponite^® RD was achieved by cross-linking via the methacrylate groups at the end of the poly(ethylene glycol) strands. Because of cross-linking between the polymer strands via the methacrylate groups, the hybrid films presented here exhibited better mechanical properties and higher ordering of Laponite^® RD platelets than other hybrid films consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified Laponite^® RD. The hybrid films are transparent and flexible, and show fire-shielding properties. Thus, they have potential applications in various industrial fields.