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Polymer Nanocomposites

Article · April 2007

DOI: 10.1557/mrs2007.229

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 Polymer
such as polymers containing carbon black
or fumed silica. This issue of MRS Bulletin
focuses primarily on polymer nanocompos-
ites containing nanoscale clays and vari-
ous carbon nanotubes to illustrate the status

Nanocomposites
of this rapidly evolving research and de-
velopment enterprise.
The numerous reports of large prop-
erty changes with very small additions of
nanoparticles (⬍1–5 wt%) have fueled the
Karen I. Winey and Richard A. Vaia, view that nanoparticles are a magic pixie
dust that delivers huge dividends. In fact,
Guest Editors recent market surveys have estimated
global consumption of polymer nanocom-
posites at tens of millions of pounds
Abstract (⬃$250 million), with a potential annual
Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs)—that is, nanoparticles (spheres, rods, plates) average growth rate of 24%, to almost
dispersed in a polymer matrix—have garnered substantial academic and industrial in- 100 million pounds in 2011 at a value
terest since their inception, circa 1990. This is due in large part to the incredible promise
exceeding $500–800 million.7–9 Major rev-
enues are forecast from large commercial
demonstrated by these early efforts: PNCs will not only expand the performance space
opportunities such as automobile parts,
of traditional filled polymers, but introduce completely new combinations of properties
coatings, flame retardants, and packaging,
and thus enable new applications for plastics. Low volume additions (1–5%) of nanopar-
where lower-cost, higher-performance
ticles, such as layered silicates or carbon nanotubes, provide property enhancements materials would improve durability and
with respect to the neat resin that are comparable to those achieved by conventional design flexibility while lowering unit price
loadings (15–40%) of traditional fillers. The lower loadings facilitate processing and re- and life cycle cost.
duce component weight. Most important, though, is the unique value-added properties Whatever the case for the long-term
not normally possible with traditional fillers, such as reduced permeability, optical economic growth of polymer nanocom-
clarity, self-passivation, and increased resistance to oxidation and ablation. These posites, the opportunities to deliver targeted
characteristics have been transformed into numerous commercial successes, including material performance reside with the im-
automotive parts, coatings, and flame retardants. This issue of the MRS Bulletin provides plications associated with nanoscale multi-
a snapshot of these exemplary successes, future opportunities, and the critical scientific phase systems. There are important
challenges still to be addressed for these nanoscale multiphase systems. In addition, differences when the fillers shrink from
these articles provide a perspective on the current status and future directions of microscale to nanoscale. This issue of the
polymer nanocomposite science and technology and their potential to move beyond MRS Bulletin provides a snapshot of exem-
additive concepts to designed materials and devices with prescribed nanoscale plary successes, future opportunities, and
composition and morphology. the critical scientific challenges still to be
addressed for these nanoscale multiphase
systems. In addition, these articles provide
a perspective on the current status of poly-
mer nanocomposite science and technol-
Introduction ogy as well as future directions to move
Polymers have been a part of life since expensive engineering plastic. Similarly, it beyond additive concepts to designed
the beginning of humankind. From tar and combining different polymers to form a materials and devices with prescribed
shellac, tortoise shell and horns, to today’s polymer blend or resin can increase the nanoscale composition and morphology.
synthetic offerings such as polyolefins, value of existing polymers.
epoxies, and engineering resins, polymers Polymer nanocomposites incorporate a The Nano Advantage
provide crucial materials for construction, new spectrum of fillers that extend the When fillers are nanoscopic, there are
commerce, transportation, and entertain- function and utility of polymers while advantages afforded to filled polymers and
ment across the globe. Estimates of global maintaining the manufacturing and proc- composites that lead to performance en-
polymer production range from 250 billion essing flexibility inherent to plastics, ther- hancements. These advantages result pri-
pounds to more than 400 billion pounds mosets, and resins. In particular, polymer marily from filler size reduction and the
(approximately 114–181 billion kg) annually. nanocomposites have been successful concomitant increase in surface area. The
In the majority of their diverse applica- with regard to overcoming traditionally size of the additive might drop by up to
tions, polymeric materials are not chemi- antagonistic combinations of properties. three orders of magnitude relative to con-
cally or molecularly homogenous but are Since the first reports in the late 1980s,1–6 ventional alternatives. In contrast, many
multicomponent systems. By adding fillers, the term “polymer nanocomposite” has nanotechnologies associated with electri-
such as minerals, ceramics, metals, or even evolved to refer to a multicomponent sys- cal or optical properties benefit from new
air, materials scientists can generate an infi- tem in which the major constituent is a physical phenomena arising from quan-
nite variety of materials with unique phys- polymer or blend thereof and the minor tum confinement effects induced by the
ical properties and competitive production constituent has at least one dimension below nanoscale dimensions of the material. The
costs. For example, adding filler to a com- 100 nm. Polymer nanocomposite is an ap- literature about polymer nanocomposites
modity thermoplastic such as polypropy- propriate synonym for inorganic–organic contains many discussions about the im-
lene can achieve performance levels that hybrids and molecular composites and also plications and physical manifestations of
would otherwise require a much more encompasses mature commercial products the reduction in filler length scale.10–14

314 MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin

 Polymer Nanocomposites

For example, compare a microcomposite

and a nanocomposite with the same volume
fraction of a secondary constituent (filler),
where the spherical particles have volumes
of 1 μm3 or 1 nm3 per particle, respectively.
The mean particle–particle separation is
smaller by three orders of magnitude, the
total internal interfacial area increases by
six orders of magnitude, and the number
density of constituents increases by nine
orders of magnitude in the nanocomposite.
Although these numbers alone are impres-
sive, the filler size must be viewed relative
to the size of polymer molecules to cap-
ture the full potential impact of nanoscale
fillers on composite properties.
Many properties are related to the size of
the polymer chain, which can be expressed
as the radius of gyration Rg (the second
moment of the three-dimensional distri-
bution of the monomers of the polymer
chain—approximately the expanse of the
molecule). Rg is on the order of 3–30 nm. Figure 1. The ratio of interfacial volume to the particle volume (Vinterface /Vparticle) as a function
Depending on the strength of interaction of the particle aspect ratio and the ratio of the interfacial thickness to the particle size (␦).
between the filler surface and the matrix, The aspect ratio and δ are defined in the schematic at right (r is radius, l is length, h is
the polymer chains in close proximity to the height). The interfacial thickness (red shell, t) is assumed to be independent of the particle
filler will be perturbed with respect to size. As particles decrease in size to less than 100 nm, the interfacial volume around a particle
those in the bulk (i.e., away from the in- can dominate the physical properties, and this is particularly evident for spheres and rods.
terface). The thickness t of this interfacial
region that surrounds the particle is, to the interfacial region is ⬃63 vol%, sug- Scope and Impact
first order, independent of the size of the gesting that more than half of the com- As with traditional filled plastics, an
particle. Thus, as the particle size decreases, posite is affected by the presence of the infinite variety of possible polymer–
the relative volume of this interfacial ma- second-phase particles. If the particle is in- nanoparticle combinations conceptually
terial, Vinterface, with respect to the volume creased to 20 nm in radius without chang- affords tunability. Thus, given the diver-
of the particle, Vparticle, will increase. ing the interfacial thickness or particle sity of possible properties and tolerable
Figure 1 shows this ratio, Vinterface/Vparticle, loading, the volume occupied by the in- costs, there is no universal “best” nanopar-
as a function of particle aspect ratio from terfacial region would be only ⬃1.2 vol%. ticle filler for polymer nanocomposites.
plates (aspect ratio ⬍1) to spheres to rods The importance of polymer–particle in- The best nanoparticle filler (or traditional
(aspect ratio ⬎1). The filler size is ex- teractions is amplified in polymer nanocom- filler, for that matter) is determined by
pressed as δ, the ratio of the thickness of the posites such that the interface and the meeting both a specific set of physical
interface to the smallest dimension of cooperativity between particles dominate properties and a price point associated
the particle. Micrometer-sized fillers have the macroscopic properties. For example, with a particular part or product. Table I
δ ⬃ 0.01, so that at any aspect ratio, the vol- weak forces between particles, such as compares the size, shape, properties, and
ume of the particles exceeds that of the in- van der Waals, are more pronounced for uses of traditional fillers and newer nano-
terfacial region. However, when the fillers nano-sized particles because of lower sur- scale fillers. As noted earlier, a few tradi-
are reduced to the nanoscale and δ ⬃ 1–10, face roughness, smaller average particle tional fillers have sizes below 100 nm, and
the volume of the interfacial region exceeds separations, and thus higher dispersive nanoscale fillers can access high aspect ra-
the volume of the particle. In addition, at a forces. Also, because of the nanoscopic di- tios. Although there is considerable over-
fixed value of δ, the aspect ratio has an ef- mensions of the particles, the accessible lap in the elastic moduli and thermal
fect on Vinterface/Vparticle, showing an expected aspect ratio of discrete secondary con- conductivities between the traditional and
increase from plates to rods to spheres as stituents can approach 100 or more. These nanoscale fillers, the electrical properties
the fillers change from two-dimensional high-aspect-ratio, nanoscale fillers can of the carbon-based nanofillers are in a
(plate) to one-dimensional (rod) to zero- reach percolation thresholds at ⬍1–5 vol% class by themselves, with conductivities
dimensional (sphere) objects. The magni- and thereby exhibit large increases in bulk more than 100 times higher. This sum-
tude of this change increases dramatically mechanical and transport properties at mary of fillers encourages one to imagine
as the filler size drops; for example, at δ these low loadings. The percolation many possibilities for remarkable proper-
10, Vinterface/Vparticle increases by two orders threshold is the filler concentration at ties within the broad materials class of
of magnitude between plates and spheres. which the electrical conductivity increases polymer nanocomposites.
Furthermore, these calculations demon- sharply by orders of magnitude, indicat- The first key demonstration of polymer
strate the impact that even a small volume ing that conductive pathways span the nanocomposites was provided by the pio-
fraction of filler has on the surrounding macroscopic sample. Thus, the casual ob- neering work of Okada and co-workers at
polymers. For example, by dispersing a servation that nanofillers act as pixie dust Toyota Central Research in the late
mere 1 vol% of a nanosphere (radius is firmly rooted in the implications of re- 1980s.1–4 By combining inclusion and col-
⬃2 nm) in a polymer (interfacial thickness ducing the size of the fillers by up to three loidal chemistry of mica-type layered sili-
⬃6 nm), the volume fraction occupied by orders of magnitude. cates (nanoclay) with surface-initiated

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin 315

316
Table I: Characteristics of Traditional and Nanoscale Fillers: Shape, Size, Properties, Dimensions, and Uses.

Approximate Smallest Aspect Elastic Electrical Thermal Commercial Uses

Shapea Dimension Ratiob Modulus Conductivity Conductivity
(nm)a (GPa) (S/cm) (W/m K)

Traditional Fillers
Carbon black32 agglomerate 10–100 1–5 … 10–100 0.1–0.4 tires, hoses, shoes, elastomers
of spheres

Carbon fiber33 rods 5,000–20,000 10–50 300–800 0.1–10 100–1000 aerospace, automotive, marine,
Polymer Nanocomposites

sporting, medical

Carbon graphite34 plate 250–500 15–50 500–600 1–10 100–500 gaskets, seals
35
E-glass rod 10,000– 20–30 75 … … marine, automotive,
20,000 construction, filtration

Mineral: CaCO336 sphere 45–70 ~1 35 … 3–5 paper, paint, rubber, plastics

platelet 600–4,000 1–30

Mineral: silica37,38 agglomerate 8,000–30,000 5–10 30–200 … 1–10 reinforced plastics, thermal
of spheres insulator, paint, rubber reinforcing
agent

Mineral: talc, china platelet 5,000–20,000 5–10 1–70 … 1–10 paper, consumer goods,
clay37,39 construction
Nanoscale Fillers
Carbon nanofiber40 rod 50–100 50–200 500 700–1000 10–20 hoses, aerospace, ESD/EMI
shielding, adhesives

Carbon MWNT41 rod 5–50 100–10,000 1,000 500–10,000 100–1000 automotive, sporting, ESD/EMI
shielding

Carbon SWNT42 rod 0.6–1.8 100–10,000 1,500 1000–10,000 1000 filters, ESD/EMI shielding

Aluminosilicate plate 1–10 50–1000 200–250 … 1–10 automotive, packaging, sporting,

nanoclay43 tires, aerospace

Nano-TiO237,44 sphere 10–40 ~1 230,000 10–11–10–12 12 photocatalysis, gas sensors, paint

Nano-Al2O337,45 sphere 300 ~1 50 10–14 20–30 seal rings, furnace liner tubes,
gas laser tubs, wear pads
a
Dispersible unit.
b
Aspect ratio is defined as the long axis to short axis irrespective of shape. Note that this differs from Figure 1.
ESD is electrostatic discharge; EMI is electromagnetic interference; MWNT is multiwall carbon nanotube; SWNT is single-wall carbon nanotube.

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin

 Polymer Nanocomposites

polymerization, they demonstrated that

only ⬃2–4 vol% of layered silicate suffi-
ciently improved the mechanical proper-
ties of nylon-6 polymer at elevated
temperatures to enable its use inside an
automotive engine compartment.
Since then, the patent and literature ac-
tivity has been astonishing (Figure 2).15
From 1992 to 2004, the number of citations
for polymer nanocomposites has doubled
every two years, indicating that these ma-
terials are still on the steep part of the tech-
nology S-curve (Figure 2a). Since 2001,
polymer nanocomposites represent ⬃43%
of the broader nanocomposite field, which
includes metals, ceramics, and thin films
(Figure 2b). Of the publicly available liter-
ature on polymer nanocomposites, the ma-
jority (80%) is in peer-reviewed journals,
whereas patents have maintained a con-
stant fraction (8–10%). Together, layered
silicates (nanoclays) and carbon nanotubes
represent almost 50% of the ongoing in-
vestigations. Polymer–clay nanocomposites,
however, might be reaching saturation, as
evidenced by a diminishing growth rate in
publications and patents per year. In con-
trast, polymer–carbon nanotube composites
have rapidly accelerated since the
availability of carbon nanotubes became
widespread in the late 1990s and are still
exhibiting a steady growth rate (Figure 2b).
After almost 20 years, the diversity in
scientific investigations, technology ad-
vancements, processing innovations, and
product development is staggering. A sig-
nificant number of excellent review papers
(e.g., clays16–23 and carbon nanotubes22–26)
and books27–30 are available that chronicle
and summarize the status of various
nanoparticle–polymer combinations and
the broad scientific and technological chal-
lenges that still need to be overcome.
This issue of MRS Bulletin provides six
articles to illustrate the breadth of activity
in polymer nanocomposites. Hunter et al.
highlight the issues in polymer–nanoclay
composites, where the most commercial
activity currently exists. Baur and Silver-
man consider the opportunities in adding
nanofillers to traditional engineering poly-
mer composites that use continuous fiber
reinforcements. Schadler and co-workers
focus on the implications and engineering
possibilities of larger interfacial areas per
unit volume. Krishnamoorti addresses the Figure 2. Growth trends of the polymer nanocomposite enterprise based on yearly pub-
issues of weak forces becoming significant lications catalogued in the CAPLUS and MEDLINE databases of the American Chemical
for nano-sized components and strategies Society.15 (a) Number of occurrences per year of the term “nanocomposite” (NC, open
for overcoming their tendency to agglom- squares) and “nanocomposite” appearing with “polymer” (PNC, solid circles). “Polymer
nanocomposites” (PNC) is further refined to those discussing “clay” PNC (red symbols)
erate. Winey et al. explore opportunities
and “nanotube” PNC (blue symbols). (b) Analysis of the number of citations per year,
for nanofillers to modify electrical and showing the total fraction of “nanocomposite” occurrences that discuss polymer nanocom-
thermal properties of polymers. Finally, posites (PNC:NC, open squares), as well as the total fraction of “polymer nanocomposite”
Hule and Pochan consider the opportuni- occurrences that are patents (PNC patents, solid circles) that discuss clay-based PNCs
ties of polymer nanocomposites in the (PNC with “clay,” red symbols) and that discuss nanotube-containing PNCs (PNC with
medical arena. “nanotube,” blue symbols).

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin 317

 Polymer Nanocomposites

Future Outlook and piezoresistive materials for MEMs- 12. A. Bansal, H. Yang, C. Li, K. Cho, B.C.
What’s next? Where are the ground- based sensors. In addition, new proc- Benicewicz, S.K. Kumar, L.S. Schadler, Nature
breaking opportunities? What are the essing tools and on-line controls are being Materials 4, 693 (2005).
developed to either (1) uniformly distrib- 13. R. Krishnamoorti, R.A. Vaia, E.P. Giannelis,
challenges that pervade polymer nano- Chem. Mater. 9, 1728 (1996).
composites? Of extreme importance in all ute nanofiller to produce homogeneous
14. F.W. Starr, T.B. Schroeder, S.C. Glotzer,
the potential markets is the establishment bulk properties or (2) spatially vary the Macromolecules 35, 4481 (2002).
of a better, quantitative understanding of nanofiller concentration to meet specific 15. SciFinder, Chemical Abstract Service (CAS)
the occupational health risks.31 For poly- design criteria. One might refer to these of the American Chemical Society, CAPLUS
mer nanocomposites, this is particularly two classes of polymer nanocomposites and MEDLINE databases, October 8, 2006. Data
important during the production of nano- as nano-“filled” systems and nano- resulted from a keyword search on “nanocom-
sized fillers and composite fabrication, as “composite” systems, respectively. By posite” and selecting citations that included this
well as during recycling, incineration, or drawing inspiration from biology and en- concept (25,435 total citations). Results were re-
gineered fiber-reinforced composites, fined using “polymer” (10,350 total citations),
combustion.
“nanotube or nanorod” (864 total citations), or
Whereas the recent increased availabil- polymer nanocomposites with spatially
“clay or (layered silicate) or montmorillonite”
ity of the new nanoscale fillers has been a controlled morphology are beginning to (3,938 total citations). Other keyword combina-
major contributor to the rapid develop- provide viable options to critical compo- tions did not drastically modify the refined
ment of polymer nanocomposites, robust nents of active devices, such as fuel cell number of citations (⬍2–3%).
structure–property–processing relation- membranes, batteries, photovoltaics, sen- 16. E.P. Giannelis, Adv. Mater. 8, 29 (1996).
ships are critical to further market infiltra- sors, and actuators. 17. M. Alexandre, P. Dubois, Mater. Sci. Eng., R
tion. Relationships that provide a priori Polymer nanocomposites have recently 28, 1 (2000).
predictions of macroscopic properties for become part of established modern tech- 18. S.S. Ray, M. Okamoto, Prog. Polym. Sci. 2,
a given polymer, a specific nanoscale filler nologies, but the most significant accom- 1539 (2003).
plishments of these materials are still 19. M. Okamoto, “Polymer/Clay Nanocom-
(or fillers), and a particular spatial arrange- posites,” in Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and
ment of the filler are still in their infancy. ahead of us. As an increasing number of Nanotechnology, H.S. Nalwa, Ed. (American
For example, to what extent can existing scientists and engineers contribute to the Scientific, Stevenson Ranch, CA, 2004), vol. 8, p. 1.
continuum composite theories be modi- understanding of polymer nanocompos- 20. E.T. Thostenson, C. Li, T.-W. Chou, Compos.
fied to account for the implications that ites, what remains to be seen is which Sci. Technol. 65, 491 (2005).
arise when the filler is comparable to the products will be critically enhanced and 21. L.F. Drummy, H. Koerner, B.L. Farmer, R.A.
polymer in size? Are the properties cur- enabled by this broad and evolving class Vaia, Advanced Morphology Characterization of
rently being achieved in polymer nanocom- of materials. Clay-Based Polymer Nanocomposites: CMS Work-
posites as high as we can expect to obtain? shop Lecture Series (Clay Minerals Society,
Chantilly, VA, 2006) vol. 14.
However, approaches to these chal- Acknowledgments 22. S.C. Tjong, Mater. Sci. Eng., R 53, 73
lenges are not without precedent. The The authors thank Minfang Mu (Uni- (2006).
underlying science and constitutive rela- versity of Pennsylvania) for compiling the 23. F. Hussain, M. Hojjati, M. Okamoto, R.E.
tionships for these nanoscopic materials data for Table I. K.I. Winey thanks Dupont Gorga, J. Compos. Mater. 40, 1511 (2006).
should share commonality with collections for hosting her sabbatical visit and acknowl- 24. X.-L. Xie, Y.-W. Maia, X.-P. Zhou, Mater. Sci.
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Mater. 94, 226 (2006); I. Hackman, L. Hollaway, 42. E. Bichoutskaia, M.I. Heggie, A.M. Popov, home.asp. 䊐
Composites Part A 37, 1161 (2006). Y.E. Lozovik, Phys. Rev. B 73, 045435 (2006); S.

Karen I. Winey Richard A. Vaia Jeff Baur Brian C. Benicewicz Shane E. Harton

Karen I. Winey, Guest NSF Young Investigator NanoMaterials Strategy Outstanding Engineers Jeff Baur is a senior re-
Editor for this issue of Award in 1994 and was Group and chair of the and Scientists Award search engineer for the
MRS Bulletin, is a pro- elected fellow of the NanoScience and Tech- (2006) from the Affiliate Advanced Composites
fessor of materials sci- American Physical Soci- nology (NST) Strategic Societies Council of Branch within the Air
ence and engineering at ety in 2003. Winey is Technology Team at the Dayton, Ohio. Vaia Force Research Labora-
the University of Penn- currently chair of the U.S. Air Force Research serves on the editorial tory’s Materials and
sylvania. She earned her Polymer Physics Gordon Laboratory (AFRL). He boards of Chemistry of Manufacturing Direc-
BS degree in materials Research Conference received his PhD degree Materials, Macromole- torate. His received his
science and engineering scheduled for 2010. She in materials science and cules, and Materials PhD degree from the
from Cornell University recently published an engineering at Cornell Today. He is on the MRS Massachusetts Institute
and her MS and PhD invited review article University in 1995 and board of directors, and of Technology’s pro-
degrees in polymer sci- entitled “Polymer was a distinguished is a member-at-large for gram in polymer science
ence and engineering Nanocomposites graduate from Cornell’s the Division of Poly- and technology in 1997.
from the University of Containing Carbon Air Force ROTC. meric Materials Science Baur has held re-
Massachusetts under the Nanotubes” in Vaia’s research group and Engineering of the search and management
direction of Edwin L. Macromolecules (39, focuses on polymer American Chemical So- positions within the Air
Thomas. 5194–5205, 2006). nanocomposites, pho- ciety. He has authored Force Research Lab,
Winey probes Winey can be reached tonic technologies, and more than 100 papers Borden Chemical UV
structure–property at 3231 Walnut St., Uni- their impact on develop- and patents. Coating Division, and at
relationships in versity of Pennsylvania, ing adaptive soft matter. Vaia can be reached at MIT’s Institute for Sol-
nanotube–polymer com- Philadelphia, PA His honors and awards the Air Force Research dier Nanotechnologies,
posites, ion-containing 19104-6272, USA; tel. include Air Force Out- Laboratory, 2941 and has published nu-
polymers, and block 215-898-0593, fax standing Scientist (2002); Hobson Way, Bldg. 654, merous papers in ad-
copolymers, where the 215-573-2128, and e-mail MRL Visiting Professor Wright-Patterson Air vanced electrical,
properties of interest in- [email protected]. at the University of Cali- Force Base, OH optical, and mechanical
clude electrical fornia, Santa Barbara 45433-7750 USA; tel. properties of polymer
conductivity, thermal Richard A. Vaia, (2006); Air Force Office 937-255-9184, fax composites. His current
conductivity, mechanical Guest Editor for this of Scientific Research 937-255-9157, and interests are in nanocom-
properties and perme- issue of MRS Bulletin, Star Team (2003–2005, e-mail richard.vaia@ posites for improvement
ability. She received an is the lead of the 2005–2007), and the wpafb.af.mil. of fiber-reinforced

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin 319

 Polymer Nanocomposites

Rohan A. Hule Douglas L. Hunter Karl W. Kamena Takashi Kashiwagi Ramanan

Krishnamoorti
composite structures Institute, 110 Eighth St., and the Delaware Hunter can be neering Department of
and materials for mor- Troy, NY 12180 USA; tel. Biotechnology Institute reached at Southern the University of Mary-
phing structures. 518-276-2534, fax at the University of Clay Products, 1212 land and a guest re-
Baur can be reached 518-276-6434, and e-mail Delaware. After earning Church St., Gonzales, searcher at the Fire
at AFRL/MLBCO, 2941 [email protected]. his BTech degree in TX 78629 USA; tel. Research Division of the
Hobson Way, Wright- polymer science and en- 830-672-1994 and e-mail National Institute of
Patterson Air Force Shane E. Harton is a gineering from the Uni- [email protected]. Standards and Technol-
Base, OH 45433-7750 postdoctoral research versity Institute of ogy. Kashiwagi earned
USA; tel. 937-255-9143, scientist in the Depart- Chemical Technology in Karl W. Kamena is the his BS and MS degrees
fax 937-656-4706, and ment of Chemical Engi- Mumbai, India, Hule commercial manager of from Keio University
e-mail jeff.baur@ neering at Columbia studied rheology in the Cloisite® Nanoclays at and his PhD degree
wpafb.af.mil. University, working Complex Fluids and Southern Clay Products from Princeton Univer-
with Sanat K. Kumar. Polymer Engineering Inc. He graduated from sity in aerospace me-
Brian C. Benicewicz is Harton received his PhD Group at the National the University of Massa- chanical science. His
director of the New degree in materials sci- Chemical Laboratory in chusetts in 1965 with a research interests
York State Center for ence and engineering Pune. degree in chemical include combustion of
Polymer Synthesis and a from North Carolina Hule’s current re- engineering. polymeric materials
professor of chemistry State University in 2005 search focuses on Kamena worked with and flammability
at Rensselaer Polytech- under the advisement of organic–inorganic Dow Chemical Co. from properties of polymer
nic Institute in Troy, N.Y. Harald Ade. hybrid nanomaterials, 1965 to 1994 in a variety nanocomposites.
He received his BS de- As a graduate stu- self-assembled hydro- of technical and com- Kashiwagi can be
gree from the Florida In- dent, Harton’s work pri- gels, and understanding mercial positions. His reached at NIST, MS
stitute of Technology in marily focused on structure–property experience at Dow ranged 8665, 100 Bureau Dr.,
1976 and his PhD de- thermodynamics of relationships in bio- from product develop- Gaithersburg, MD
gree in polymer chem- highly incompatible nanomaterials using ment and project man- 20899-8665 USA; tel.
istry from the polymer/polymer inter- polymer physics tools. agement to business, 301-975-6699, fax
University of Connecti- faces, particularly the in- Hule can be reached marketing, public policy 301-975-4052, and e-mail
cut in 1980. fluences of the by e-mail at hule@ issues management, and takashi.kashiwagi@
Benicewicz held posi- deuterium isotope ef- udel.edu. government affairs. Dur- nist.gov.
tions at Celanese fect. Harton’s current ing the past ten years,
Research Co. and at work at Columbia Uni- Douglas L. Hunter is a Kamena has been in- Ramanan
Johnson & Johnson and versity focuses on ther- senior scientist at South- volved with clay/ Krishnamoorti is a pro-
was the deputy group modynamics of ern Clay Products Inc. polymer nanocomposite fessor of chemical and
leader at Los Alamos polymer/inorganic in- (SCP), where he has technologies in consult- biomolecular engineer-
National Laboratory be- terfaces, including com- worked since 1997. He ing capacities and work- ing and a professor of
fore joining Rensselaer patibilization of earned his PhD degree ing with companies. He chemistry at the Univer-
in 1997. His research polymer/inorganic in chemistry at Texas is a member of the Soci- sity of Houston (UH).
focuses on polymer nanocomposites. A&M University. Prior ety of Plastics Engineers. After earning his PhD
nanocomposites, Harton can be to SCP, he worked at Kamena can be degree in chemical engi-
controlled radical poly- reached at the Depart- Dow Chemical Co., be- reached at Cloisite® neering from Princeton
merizations, fuel cell ment of Chemical ginning in 1975. At Nanoclays, 5508 Hwy. University in 1994, he
membranes, liquid- Engineering, Columbia Dow, Hunter held a va- 290 West, Ste. 206, held postdoctoral posi-
crystalline and electrically University, 500 W. 120th riety of positions work- Austin, TX 78735 USA; tions at the California
conducting polymers, St., New York, NY ing in early-stage tel. 512-358-3108, fax Institute of Technology
and polymer synthesis. 10027 USA. catalyst and process de- 512-899-2332, and e-mail and Cornell University.
Benicewicz can be velopment and technical [email protected]. Krishnamoorti joined
reached at the Depart- Rohan A. Hule is a service. The focus of his UH as an assistant pro-
ment of Chemistry and graduate student in the research at SCP has Takashi Kashiwagi is a fessor in 1996 and was
Chemical Biology, Department of Materials been polymer clay research professor in the promoted to professor
Rensselaer Polytechnic Science and Engineering nanocomposites. Fire Protection Engi- and appointed associate

320 MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin

 Polymer Nanocomposites

Sanat K. Kumar Sarah L. Lewis Minfang Mu Donald R. Paul Darrin J. Pochan

dean for research in phenomena, nanotech- Pennsylvania. She re- has served as editor of also serves as associate
2005. His primary nology, and polymers. ceived her BSc degree in Industrial and Engineer- editor for North Amer-
research area is in the Kumar can be reached chemistry and her MSc ing Chemistry Research, ica of Soft Matter, a new
understanding of at the Department of degree in the Depart- published by the Ameri- interdisciplinary journal
structure–processing– Chemical Engineering, ment of Macromolecular can Chemical Society, from the Royal Society
property relations for Columbia University, Science at Fudan Uni- since 1986. of Chemistry.
multicomponent poly- 500 W. 120th St., New versity, China. At Fudan Paul can be reached Pochan can be
meric materials, with re- York, NY 10027 USA; University, Mu worked at the Department of reached by e-mail at
cent extensions into tel. 212-854-2193, fax with Ming Jiang on Chemical Engineering, [email protected].
biomaterials for drug 212-854-3054, and e-mail self-assembly of University of Texas
delivery and the devel- sk2794@ protein-graft-dextran at Austin, Austin, Linda S. Schadler is a
opment of high- columbia.edu. and polymer complexes. TX 78712 USA; tel. professor in materials
performance ceramic Currently, she is work- 512-471-5392, fax science and engineering
materials. Sarah L. Lewis is pursu- ing on the diffusion be- 512-471-0542; and e-mail at Rensselaer Polytech-
Krishnamoorti can be ing her PhD degree in havior of polymers into [email protected]. nic Institute. She gradu-
reached at the Depart- materials science and carbon nanotube/ ated from Cornell
ment of Chemical Engi- engineering at Rensse- polymer nanocompos- Darrin J. Pochan is an University in 1985 with
neering, University of laer Polytechnic Institute ites, as well as the associate professor in a BS degree in materials
Houston, 4800 Calhoun in Troy, N.Y. She re- preparation and charac- the Materials Science science and engineering
Rd., Houston, TX ceived her MS degree in terization of composites and Engineering De- and received a PhD de-
77204-4004 USA; tel. materials science and with cellular nanotube partment and the gree in materials science
713-743-4312, fax engineering from networks. Delaware Biotechnology and engineering in 1990
713-743-4323, and e-mail Lehigh University in Mu can be reached at Institute at the Univer- from the University of
[email protected]. 2003 and her BSc degree the University of Penn- sity of Delaware. He Pennsylvania. Schadler
in biomedical materials sylvania, 3231 Walnut joined the department in joined Rensselaer
Sanat K. Kumar is a science from the Univer- St., Philadelphia, PA 1999 after earning his in 1996.
professor in the Chemi- sity of Manchester 19104-6272, USA; tel. PhD degree in polymer She is a current mem-
cal Engineering Depart- Institute of Science 215-898-2700 and science and engineering ber of the National Ma-
ment at Columbia and Technology in 2001. e-mail minfang@ at the University of terials Advisory Board,
University. He received Her research interests seas.upenn.edu. Massachusetts Amherst and in addition to her
his BS degree from the are in controlling and and having an NRC research focus on inter-
Indian Institute of predicting properties Donald R. Paul holds postdoctoral fellowship faces in nanocomposites,
Technology, Madras, in polymer the Ernest Cockrell Sr. at the National Institute she is the education and
in 1981 and his PhD nanocomposites. Chair in Engineering at of Standards and outreach coordinator for
degree from the Lewis can be reached the University of Texas Technology. the NSF-funded Center
Massachusetts Institute at the Department of at Austin and also is the At the University of for Directed Assembly
of Technology in 1987. Materials Science and director of the Texas Delaware, Pochan has of Nanostructures,
Kumar has held faculty Engineering, Rensselaer Materials Institute. He developed a research headquartered at Rens-
positions at the Pennsyl- Polytechnic Institute, joined the Department program around the selaer.
vania State University 110 Eighth St., Troy, NY of Chemical Engineering construction of new ma- Schadler can be
and Rensselaer Poly- 12180 USA; tel. at UT in 1967. Paul’s re- terials and nanostruc- reached at the Depart-
technic Institute. 518-276-3011, fax search interests include tures via molecular ment of Materials
His research focuses 518-276-8554, and e-mail polymer blends, mem- self-assembly mecha- Science and Engineer-
on synthetic and bio [email protected]. branes, processing, and nisms. His recent honors ing, Rensselaer
polymers, nanocompos- nanocomposites. He include an NSF Career Polytechnic Institute,
ites, and nanomaterials. Minfang Mu is a PhD was elected to the Na- Award, the DuPont 110 Eighth St., Troy, NY
His work impacts the degree candidate in the tional Academy of Engi- Young Faculty Award, 12180 USA; tel.
fields of biochemical Department of Materials neering in 1988 and to and the Dillon Medal 518-276-2022, fax
engineering, composite Science and Engineering the Mexican Academy of from the American 518-276-8554, and e-mail
materials, interfacial at the University of Sciences in 2000, and Physical Society. Pochan [email protected].

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin 321

 Polymer Nanocomposites

chemical engineering lines for composite Grumman Space Tech-

from City College of spacecraft components nology, One Space Park,
New York and a PhD and on space environ- M/S 01/2040, Redondo
degree in chemical engi- ment effects on space- Beach, CA 90278 USA;
neering from Stanford craft materials. tel. 310-813-9374, fax
University. Silverman’s current in- 310-812-8768, and e-mail
Silverman has led the terest includes the de- edward.silverman@
development of new velopment of ngc.com. ⵧ
lightweight composite nanotechnology for
resin transfer-molded aerospace applications. www.mrs.org/bulletin
joints, isogrid reflectors, He has published more
MRS members can access
and the thermally than 50 papers in scien- full issues of MRS Bulletin,
conductive material tific journals and confer- with additional theme-
Linda S. Schadler Edward Silverman APG (annealed py- ences and has received related resources, online.
rolytic graphite). As the several awards for
Edward Silverman is development at program manager of innovative research and www.mrs.org/alerts
the advanced technol- Northrop Grumman two NASA contracts, he development. MRS Publications Alert:
ogy manager for ad- Space Technology. He compiled two hand- Silverman can be Receive advance Table of
vanced materials holds a BE degree in books on design guide- reached at Northrop Contents by e-mail.

The Materials Gateway-www.mrs.org

322 MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • APRIL 2007 • www.mrs.org/bulletin

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