Polymer Clay Nanocomposites in Infrastructure Applications

Abstract Polymer clay nanocomposites (PCNs) have garnered considerable attention in both research and industrial applications due to their superior properties, ecological features, wide availability, and cost-effectiveness. However, key challenges remain in managing the interfacial interactions between nanoclays (NCs) and polymers and achieving uniform dispersion of the nanoclays within the polymer matrix. To address these challenges, nanoclay modifications are often employed to enhance the compatibility between polar nanoclays and nonpolar polymers while promoting the dispersion quality of nanoclays. An appropriate modification of montmorillonite (MMT) is expected to expand the d-spacing from 14.5 Å to around 30 Å in an intercalated state, and even up to 80 Å toward an exfoliated morphology. This review discusses the role of nanoclay modification, fabrication techniques for PCNs, and the influence of nanoclay concentration on the dispersion quality and properties of PCNs. In addition, it covers various techniques used for PCN characterization and highlights the application of PCNs in infrastructure. By carefully optimizing the fabrication parameters, the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of PCNs can be enhanced by up to 270%, 15%, and 80%, respectively. This review highlights the effects of the morphological characteristics of nanoclays on the macroscale performance of PCNs, emphasizing their great potential in developing more durable, efficient, and sustainable materials in infrastructure applications.