Anandhan, S.Patil, H.G.Babu, R.R.2026-02-052011Journal of Materials Science, 2011, 46, 23, pp. 7423-7430222461https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5705-3https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/27140In recent times, polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites have drawn a great deal of attention because they often exhibit tremendous improvements in material properties compared with virgin polymers or conventional microor macro-composites. In the present study, nanocomposites were developed from organically modified clay and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-co-carbon monoxide) by melt mixing. FTIR spectroscopy reveals that the interaction between the organoclay and EVACO is thermodynamically favored. High resolution wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the morphology of the nanocomposites. Elemental mapping by scanning electron microscopy indicates good dispersion and distribution of the nanoclay in EVACO matrix. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are optimum at a clay loading of 3%. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.Clay loadingsElemental mappingFTIR spectroscopyHigh resolutionMaterial propertymatrixMelt mixingModified claysNano claysPolymer layered silicate nanocompositesSilicate claysVirgin polymersWide angle Xray diffractionCarbon monoxideEthyleneFourier transform infrared spectroscopyHigh resolution electron microscopyHigh resolution transmission electron microscopyMechanical propertiesNanocompositesPolymersScanning electron microscopySilicatesTransmission electron microscopyVolatile fatty acidsX ray diffractionPolyvinyl acetates