Rheological Behavior and Wear Abrasion Resistance of Polyethylene Oxide/Laponite Nanocomposites

Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposite thin films were developed as clear, transparent coatings. Laponite‐S, which is a synthetic layered clay, was dispersed in a polyethylene oxide matrix and solution cast onto glass slides for further testing. Rheological properties, wear abrasion resistance, and scratch resistance were tested for each sample to examine the nanoparticle dispersion effects on the materials' properties. In this study, we identify and characterize the materials to be used, establish the appropriate conditions for the preparation of polymer/Laponite nanocomposite dispersions, illustrate methods for the development of PEO/Laponite‐S films, and characterize the films. Results on the rheological behavior of PEO‐silicate nanocomposites as a function of Laponite solids loading and PEO concentration, as well as some preliminary wear abrasion properties of the films are presented in this study.