Advancing thermoset polymer composites with nanoclay reinforcement: a comprehensive investigation within composite interfaces

ABSTRACT

In the last several decades, there has been significant growth in research and development activities in nanomaterials. Nanotech has been used to improve the quality of several materials, including wood and polymer composites, for their application in various fields. Nanofillers, including metal particles, nano oxides, pyrogenic silica, and carbon black, have been employed as polymer additives. However, the value of natural, low-cost, and plentiful clay materials such as nanoclay becomes more apparent as environmental regulations and consumer awareness become more rigorous. This literature outlines the role of nanoclay on polymer composites, especially in the case of thermosetting resins, including epoxy, polyester, urea-formaldehyde, and phenol-formaldehyde resins. The current article is intended to provide a comprehensive source of recent studies and literature on nanoclay as filler, its classification, polymer modification processes using nanoclay, and comparing the performance of different thermosetting polymers based on their fabrication methods through physical and mechanical properties.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer composites
• nanoclay
• thermosetting resins
• physical properties
• mechanical properties

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

1. The review presents significant growth in research and development in nanomaterials.

2. Nanotech is comprised of green materials, wood, and polymer composites.

3. This literature outlines the role of Nanoclay on polymer composites.

4. Different thermosetting fabrication methods are presented through physical and mechanical properties.

5. The review presents Nanoclay-reinforced thermoset polymeric composites and applications.

Acknowledgements

This study was not supported by any specific grant from governmental, commercial, or not-for-profit funding sources.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

CRediT author statement

Swetha Gillela: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Visualization, Investigation, Data curation, Writing- Original draft preparation. Sumit Manohar Yadav: Supervision, Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Visualization, Investigation, Data curation, Writing- Original draft preparation, Reviewing and Editing; Bhushan B Kelkar: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Kapil Sihag: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Rapeephun Dangtungee: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Prakash Bhuyar: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Seng Hua Lee: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Widya Fatriasari: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Eko Setio Wibowo: Writing- Reviewing and Editing; Arijit Sinha: Writing- Reviewing and Editing.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.