Η βασική ιδέα της μεταπτυχιακής εργασίας είναι η παρασκευή νανοσυνθέτων υλικών πολυμερικής μήτρας νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα και ο προσδιορισμός των μηχανικών τους ιδιοτήτων. Ως συνιστώσα ενίσχυσης, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν λεπτές μεμβράνες νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα (buckypapers) που αποτελούν δίκτυα υψηλού πορώδους. Παρασκευάζονται μέσω διήθησης αιωρημάτων νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα από φίλτρα με μικρό μέγεθος πόρων (< 1 μm), παρουσία κενού. Οι τελικές ιδιότητες των buckypapers επηρεάζονται από ποικίλες παραμέτρους, όπως η χημική οξείδωση των νανοσωλήνων, ο χρόνος διασποράς, το μέγεθος του κενού και το είδος του διαλύτη. Στην εργασία αυτή παρασκευάστηκαν buckypapers από νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα πολλαπλού τοιχώματος, οξειδωμένων είτε με νιτρικό οξύ είτε με υπερμαγγανικό κάλιο και μελετήθηκε η επίδραση του διαφορετικού μέσου οξείδωσης και διαφορών στη διαδικασία παραγωγής. Τα ξηραμένα buckypapers που παρασκευάστηκαν αποδείχτηκε ότι ήταν ομογενή, ομαλά και χωρίς ατέλειες, επιδεικνύοντας εξαιρετική δομική ακεραιότητα. Η ομογενή και πυκνή μορφολογία παρατηρήθηκε όχι μόνο στις επιφάνειες, αλλά και στο εσωτερικό των buckypaper. Νανοσύνθετα υλικά υψηλής περιεκτικότητας σε νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα παρήχθησαν με δύο διαφορετικές μεθόδους – απλή εμβάπτιση των φιλμ σε διάλυμα ρητίνης και εμποτισμός με φιλμ ρητίνης σε αυτόκλειστο φούρνο (Resin Film Infusion, RFI). Και στις δύο περιπτώσεις παρατηρήθηκε πλήρης διαβροχή του δικτύου των νανοσωλήνων με πολυμερές. Τα υλικά μελετήθηκαν ως προς τις μηχανικές τους ιδιότητες. Κάτω από συγκεκριμένες συνθήκες, τα σύνθετα υλικά επέδειξαν βελτιωμένη μηχανική συμπεριφορά σε σχέση με αυτήν της πολυμερικής μήτρας. / The basic concept of this master thesis is the preparation of nanocomposite materials of polymeric matrices and buckypapers and the determination of their mechanical properties. Buckypapers are thin sheets of entangled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are highly porous networks. They are prepared by vacuum filtration of well-dispersed CNT suspension. Final properties of buckypapers can be affected with various factors, such as chemical oxidation of nanotubes, sonication time, vacuum pressure and solvent. Buckypapers from MWCNTs oxidized by either nitric acid or potassium permanganate were prepared. The effect of different oxidation treatment of MWCNTs and different procedure conditions on the mechanical properties of buckypapers is studied. Dry buckypapers prepared by vacuum filtration of well-dispersed CNT - water solution were uniform, smooth and crack-free disks exhibiting significant structural integrity. Homogeneous and dense morphology is achieved not only on the surface but also through the thickness of the buckypapers. High-volume fraction CNT composites were produced by two different techniques – simple soaking with resin solution or autoclave resin film infusion (RFI). In both cases, full impregnation of CNT network with polymer was observed. The materials were tested to determine their mechanical properties. Some of prepared buckypapers-composites showed significant improved mechanical performance.

Orientador: Aldo Eloizo Job / Banca: Marcos Augusto de Lima Nobre / Banca: Mariselma Ferreira / O programa de Pós graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, POSMAT, tem carater institucional e integra as atividades de pesquisa em materiais de diversos campi da UNESP / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar nanopartículas monofásicas paramagnéticas de ferrita de níquel e zinco, Ni0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4 (NZF) e utilizá-las na preparação de filmes elastoméricos calcinadas em diferentes temperaturas de forma a modificar seu tamanho. A caracterização estrutural das nanopartículas foi realizada via espectroscopia vibracional de absorção na região do infravermelho (FTIR), onde foi possível investigar as vibrações características da fase tipo espinélio entre 500 e 600 cm-¹ e 400 cm-¹, difratometria de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), no qual foi possível identificar a formação de nanopartículas monofásicas de Ni0,5Zn0,5FeO4 de acordo com ficha JCDS-08-0234, com tamanho entre 14 a 20nm. A caracterização térmica dos precursores das nanopartículas foi realizada utilizando as técnicas de calometria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e termogravimetria (TG). Nanomcompósitos com matriz de borracha natural vulcanizada foram preparados utilizando diferentes concentrações e tamanhos de nanopartículas paramagnéticas, as quais foram adicionadas aos demais componentes necessários à vulcanização da borracha natural (BN) do tipo crepe claro brasileiro. A análise estrutural dos nanocompósitos, denominados de BN/NZF, foi realizado utilizando as técnicas de difratometria de raios X (DRX), espectroscopia vibracional de absorção na região do infravermelho (FTIR), microscopia óptica (MO), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia de força atômica (AFM). Através destas técnicas, a incorporação de diferentes proporções e tamanhos de nanopartículas foi avaliada. A caracterização térmica dos nanocompósitos foi realizada utilizando as ténicas de calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG), análise dinâmico-mecânica (DMA) com intuito de... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaix / Abstract: This project aims to the synthesis of single-phase paramagnetic nanoparticles of Ni0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4 (NZF) nickel zinc ferrite and its application in the development of functional nanocomposites in specific materials with potential for microwave absorber. Modified Polyol method was used to synthesize a precursor powder, which was calcined at diferent temperatures in order to attain nanoparticles with different size particles. Structural characterization of nanoparticles was carried out by absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region with Fourier Transformed (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (MET). From FTIR technique was possible to investigate chemical bonds and the Ni0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4 phase formation. The evolution of the thermal behavior of both precursor powder and nanoparticles was performed using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Nanocomposites of vulcanized natural rubber were prepared using different concentration of Ni0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4 nanoparticles, which were added to other components necessary to the vulcanization process of natural rubber (NR), Hevea brasiliensis - clone RRIM 600. The structural analysis of nanocomposites of vulcanized natural rubber containing as additives different fractions of nickel zinc ferrite called here as NR/NZF was conducted by use of techniques: XRD, FTIR, optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermal analyses of nanocomposites were performed using DSC, TG, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in order to identify changes in behavior of vulcanized natural rubber, as a function of fraction of Ni0,5Zn0,5FeO4 nanoparticles. The magnetic behavior of both nanoparticles and nanocomposites were investigated by the vibrating sample magnetometer... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Materiais naturais nanoestruturados, tipo smectita, têm sido amplamente usados em nanocompósitos poliméricos, com ganhos expressivos em muitas propriedades. Porém, devido a sua natureza polar, seu uso em nanocompósitos de poliolefinas apresenta uma série de problemas. Entre esses problemas está a dificuldade de esfoliação na matriz, o que geralmente resulta um sistema não nano-estruturado e, por conseqüência, com pouco ou nenhum ganho em propriedades. Para tentar resolver esse problema, materiais tipo esmectita têm sido modificados com sais de amônio quartenário. Esses, por sua vez, possuem características tóxicas, impedindo seu uso em embalagens de alimentos. Com o objetivo de estudar uma nova alternativa que contorne esses problemas, dois materiais lamelares nano-estruturados, tipo esmectita, contendo grupos alquila ligados por ligação sigma com a rede inorgânica, foram sintetizados. Ambos apresentaram excelente ordem mesoestrutural. Um dos materiais sintetizados, formado por um Alsilsesquioxano lamelar, contendo alto teor de cadeia alquila entre as lamelas inorgânicas, foi usado na formação de compósito de polietileno. Comparativamente, uma argila natural, modificada com sais de amônio quaternário (Cloisite 15A), foi usada para fins comparativos. Os compósitos, então obtidos, foram caracterizados para avaliar diferenças microestruturais, morfológicas e mudanças em suas propriedades mecânicas e reológicas. Comparativamente à argila comercial Cloisite 15A, os compósitos contendo os materiais sintéticos apresentaram reologia diferenciada, melhor resistência ao impacto e ao Tensofissuramento Acelerado pelo Ambiente (ESCR). / Nanostructured natural materials, as smectites, have been widely used in polymeric nanocomposites, with significant gains in many properties. However, due to its polar nature, the use in nanocomposites of polyolefins presents a series of drawbacks. Among these problems, its difficulty exfoliation in the matrix, which generally results in a system not nanostructured and, consequently, with little or no gain on properties. To try to resolve this problem, materials type smectite have been modified with quaternary ammonium salts. These salts, in turn, have toxic characteristics, preventing its use in food packaging. In order to study a new alternative that bypasses these problems, two lamellar nanostructured materials, like smectite, with alkyl groups containing sigma links connected to lamellar inorganic network, were synthesized. Both materials had excellent mesostructural order. One of the synthesized materials, formed by a lamellar Al-silsesquioxane, containing high levels of alkyl chain between the inorganic lamella, was used in the formation of a polyethylene composite. Commercial natural clay, modified with quaternary ammonium salts (Cloisite 15A), was used for comparative purposes. The composites then obtained, were characterized to assess microstructural differences, morphological change, and its mechanical and rheological properties. Comparatively to commercial clay (Cloisite 15A), the composites containing synthetic materials, showed differented rheologics properties, better impact resistance and better Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR).

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-24T12:08:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ANDRÉ WESLEY BARBOSA RODRIGUES - TESE (PPGEP) 2009.pdf: 3179773 bytes, checksum: 471180d2900f9037ea9122d071d18701 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-24T12:08:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANDRÉ WESLEY BARBOSA RODRIGUES - TESE (PPGEP) 2009.pdf: 3179773 bytes, checksum: 471180d2900f9037ea9122d071d18701 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-04 / Neste trabalho, nanocompósitos de polipropileno/bentonita organofílica e polipropileno/compatibilizante/bentonita organofílica foram preparados pelo método de intercalação por fusão, empregando-se uma extrusora rosca dupla co-rotacional modular e uma extrusora rosca dupla contra rotacional acoplada a um reômetro de torque Haake. Inicialmente, as argilas bentonitas Brasgel PA e Cloisite Na+ foram organofilizadas com os tensoativos iônicos e não iônico visando obter argilas organofílicas. As argilas foram caracterizadas por fluorescência de raios X, difração de laser, espectroscopia de infravermelho. Os resultados de FTIR e DRX mostraram que os tensoativos iônicos e não iônico foram incorporados à argila confirmando a organofilização. Numa etapa posterior deste trabalho, as argilas bentonitas organofílicas foram incorporadas ao PP H103 e PP H503 e ao sistema PP/argila organofilica/PP-g-MA. A formação dos nanocompósitos bem como as propriedades das misturas PP/argila organofilica e PP/argila organofilica/PP-g-MA foram verificadas por DRX, MO, MEV, MET, TG, HDT, teste de inflamabilidade e propriedades mecânicas (tração e impacto). Através das análises de DRX, MO, MEV, MET e do método utilizado e das condições de processamento podendo-se concluir, pelos resultados obtidos, que foi possível desenvolver nanocompósitos com uma estrutura mista (aglomerados, tactóides, e partículas esfoliadas) com predominância de uma estrutura intercalada. As condições de processamento, (tipo de rosca, taxa de alimentação e velocidade) viscosidade da matriz, concentração e tipo de argila bentonita e concentração de PP-g-MA apresentaram pouca influencia na obtenção de nanocompósitos e nas propriedades em geral. / In this work, polypropylene-bentonite and polypropylene-compatibilizerbentonite nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation method using a modular co-rotational twin screw extruder and a counter rotating twin screw extruder attached to a HAKE torque rheometer. Initially, Brasgel PA and Cloisite Na+ bentonitic clays were organophilized with ionic and non-ionic surfactants with the aim of obtaining organophilic clays. The clays were characterized by XRay Fluorescence (XRF), laser diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR and DRX results showed that the ionic and non-ionic surfactants were incorporated into the clay, confirming the organophilization. Subsequently, the organophilic bentonitic clays were incorporated into PP H103, PP H503 and PP/PP-g-MA. Nanocomposites formation as well as the properties of PP/organophilic clay and PP/organophilic clay/PP-g-MA mixtures were verified by DRX, Optical microscopy (OP), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetry (TG), Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT), flammability test and tensile and impact strength tests. Form the results obtained through XRD, OM, MEV, MET analyses, the method used and the processing conditions, it may be concluded that it is possible to develop nanocomposites with mixed structure (agglomerates, tactoids and exfoliated particles) with predominance of an intercalated structure. The processing conditions (screw type, feeding rate and screw speed), matrix viscosity, concentration and type of the bentonite clay and PP-g-MA concentration had little effect on the nanocomposite obtention and on its properties, in general.

In this work the interaction between peripherally (b) substituted nickel tetrahydroxyphthalocyanines (b-NiPc(OH)4 and poly-b-Ni(O)Pc(OH)4) with 4-chlorophenol is theoretically rationalized by performing calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular orbital theory are used to calculate the condensed Fukui function for phthalocyanine derivatives and 4-chlorophenol, in order to determine the reactive sites involved when 4-chlorophenol is oxidized, and to compare theoretically predicted reactivity to experimentally determined electrocatalytic activity. Electrocatalytic activities of adsorbed NiPc derivatives: OPGE-α-NiPc(OH)8 (OPGE = ordinary pyrolytic graphite electrode, α = nonperipheral substitution), OPGE-a-NiPc(OH)4 and OPGE-β- NiPc(OH)4 are compared with those of the polymerized counterparts: OPGE-poly-α-Ni(O)Pc(OH)8, OPGE poly-a-NiPc(OH)4 and OPGE-poly-β-NiPc(OH)4, respectively. β-NiPc(NH2)4, β-NiPc(OH)4, α-NiPc(OH)4, α-NiPc(OH)8, α-NiPc(C10H21)8 are adsorbed on singled walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and β-NiPc(NH2)4-SWCNT (linked to SWCNT), are used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and employed for the electro oxidation of chlorophenols. The β-NiPc(NH2)4-SWCNT gave the best current response for the oxidation of 4-chlorophenol. α-NiPc(OH)8-SWCNT and α-NiPc(C10H21)8 gave the best resistance to electrode fouling due to oxidation by product of 4-chlorophenol. The synthesis of conjugates of cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) capped with thioglycolic acid and peripherally substituted nickel tetraamino phthalocyanine (β-NiPc(NH2)4) complex were also employed for the oxidation of chlorophenols. Separation of one of the diastereomers of 1, 2-subnaphthalocyanine (SubNPc) was achieved as well as separation of the enantiomers. The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra, together with theoretical calculations, reveal rather small variations in the frontier molecular orbitals of the SubNPc compared to conventional subphthalocyanine (SubPc), except for the destabilization of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), which results in a characteristic absorption in the Soret band region. The chirality of SubNPc, including the cyclic dichroism (CD) signs and intensities, are discussed in detail.

Shrinking down into nanoscale, materials exhibit huge property advantages over their bulk form. New forms of carbon at nanoscale have occupied the prominent position in modern materials research. With a very long history accompanying our human civilisation, carbon as a wonder material has once again contributed to our technological advances, as evidenced by the discoveries and research attractions in the last a few decades. Research into fullerenes (C60, C70, etc.), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene has been continued raising, because of the numerous novel properties associated with these new carbon forms1-3. On top of their excellent electronical, physical and chemical properties, CNTs and graphene also exhibit excellent mechanical properties including ultra-high tensile strength, Young’s Modulus, as well as high thermal conductivities. Research into carbon has also promoted the flourish of many new non-carbon nanomaterials, and typical examples include the inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulphide (IF-WS2) nanoparticles (NPs), numerous oxide NPs and nanowires that also exhibit various remarkable properties, such as high hardness and anti-oxidation stability. To combine the outstanding performances of both carbon and non-carbon nanomaterials by marrying nanoscale carbon with various metal oxide particles, which forms the backbone of my thesis by carrying out the intensive investigations. In my project it have further validated the advantages of the resulting new carbon-coated NPs in different polymeric matrix composites. The main findings are as follows: 1. A home-made rotary chemical vapour deposit (RCVD) system has been modified and this versatile facility has been applied successfully to produce different types of graphitic carbon-coated nanocomposite particles, from micro- down to nano-scale, including IF-WS2, TiO2, ZnO, Y2O3, Cr2O3, CeO2 and ZrO2 etc. The production can be up to 30 g/per batch, which is 10s times more than using a traditional static furnace, by avoiding severe agglomeration. 2. The resulting coating consists of a few layered graphitic carbon with lattice space 0.34 nm. The thickness of the coating is simply controllable between 1-5 nm, depending on the deposition time (10~60 min), precursor injection flow rate (1.2~2.4 ml/L) and heating temperature (700~900 oC). Furthermore, the oxide core of ZnO@C was removed by heating under the H2/Ar atmosphere, and have successfully generated nano- to micro-scale, hollow, closed, and all-carbon structures. 3. The commercial Nylon 12 is applied to fabricate the metal oxide polymer composite. Using ZnO@C-Nylon 12 composite as an example, at 2 wt% content, the composites have achieved with the ultimate tensile strength increased by 27% (from 47.9 to 59.6 MPa), In particular, at 4 wt% content, the ZnO@C showed an impressive improvement in thermal conductivity of nearly 50% (From 0.21 t0 0.31 W∙m-1∙K-1), comparing 16% improvement for ZnO-Nylon 12 composite. 4. Apart from investigations of nylon composite, intensive studies of the Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), an important high performance engineering thermoplastics polymer, and its nanocomposites reinforced by IF-WS2 and IF-WS2@C have been carried out in this thesis. The IF-WS2/PEEK composites exhibited not only an improvements of 24% (From 77.6 to 96.7 MPa) in the tensile strength (2 wt%), but also showed an extraordinary increase in thermal conductivity by 190%, from 0.248 to 0.719 W∙m-1∙K-1 at 8 wt%, higher onset decomposing temperatures (54 oC) against the plain PEEK. 5. Moreover, owing to the better dispersal capacity of IF-WS2@C NPs, the ternary IF-WS2@C-PEEK nanocomposites produced in this thesis displayed impressive mechanical properties, increased by 51% (From 77.6 to 120.9 MPa, at 2 wt%), and extremely greater thermal conductivity, with 235% (From 0.248 to 0.831 W∙m-1∙K-1 at 8 wt%), and better stability than the comparison IF-WS2-PEEK composites. The parameters influencing the coating quality and thickness have also been investigated. Further, their interface studies based on the FTIR and XPS techniques have verified the formation of chemical bonding (C=S bonding and carbon π-π bonding), rather than physically bonded together. The successful application of the generic RCVD process can be further extended to the processing of many new particles for an ultrathin carbon coating. Considering the vast amount of literature focusing on carbon, the project further processing of carbon-coated materials in composites could easily be tailored to achieve desired surface contacts with different matrices and leading to the better desired performance, as verified in this thesis for the advanced binary and ternary composites. Finally, this research is expecting to expand the application potentials of PEEK-based nanocomposites in critical areas where thermal conductivity and thermal stability are important.

L'auteur n'a pas fourni de résumé de moins de 4000 caractères en français / L'auteur n'a pas fourni de résumé de moins de 4000 caractères en anglais

Nos dias atuais a busca pela utilização de cargas de reforço aos materiais poliméricos tem sido o grande alvo dos pesquisadores e da indústria. Neste trabalho nanocompósitos de PVC foram obtidos através de duas rotas de preparação, mediante a mistura no estado fundido, utilizando-se uma extrusora monorosca. Empregaram-se diferentes concentrações de montmorilonita e velocidades de injeção nos nanocompósitos. Estes foram caracterizados por suas morfologias, propriedades termomecânicas e termo-dinâmico-mecânicas. O grau de intercalação e esfoliação dos nanocompósitos foi caracterizado por difração de raios X, MET e MEV. O inchamento da argila em plastificante, anterior ao processamento, parece ter induzido um maior grau de intercalação e uma esfoliação parcial em todos os sistemas. As análises termogravimétricas demonstraram pouca influência da carga sobre a estabilidade térmica dos nanocompósitos. / Nowadays the search for the use of reinforcement fillers into polymeric materials has been the great objective of researchers and industry. In this work PVC nanocomposites were obtained through two routes of preparation, by melt blending in a single-screw extruder. Additionally different montimorillonite concentrations and injection speeds were applied to nanocomposites preparation. These were characterized by morphological, thermo-mechanical and thermo-dynamic-mechanical properties. The degree of intercalated and exfoliated of nanocomposites was characterized by x ray diffraction, MET e MEV. The swelled clay in plasticizer, prior of the processing, seems to have induced a higher degree of intercalation and partial exfoliation in all systems. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated small influence of the nanofillers on the nanocomposites thermal stability.

Neste trabalho foram obtidos nanocompósitos contendo 0, 1, 2, 5 e 10% (m/m) de argila organofílica montmorilonita cloisite 30B, contendo terminações hidroxila, por processamento reativo entre um pré-polímero com terminações isocianato e o 1,4-butanodiol, utilizando-se um misturador fechado. Os resultados mostraram que os poliuretanos termoplásticos sintetizados foram obtidos com sucesso. A adição de montmorilonita nos TPUs ocasionou a formação de folhas de argila dispersas de maneira intercalada, parcialmente esfoliada, esfoliada e aglomerados na matriz do TPU. Com a adição da argila houve modificações nos comportamentos de cristalização, estabilidade térmcica e mecanismo de degradação, assim como um aumento nos valores de energia aparente de ativação deste processo. A mobilidade de alguns segmentos poliméricos também foi alterada com a adição da argila. Portanto modificações morfológicas e viscoelásticas foram observadas para os nanocompósitos em dependência da quantidade de argila organofílica empregada, assim como a adição da organoargila alterou o comportamento térmico do poliuretano termoplástico, tornando os nanocompósitos mais suscetíveis a mudanças nos processos de fusão e cristalização em função da exposição a temperaturas elevadas. / In this study, were obtained nanocomposites containing 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10% (w/w) of organophilic clay montmorillonite Cloisite 30B, containing hydroxyl terminations, by reactive processing between a prepolymer with isocyanate terminations and 1,4-butanediol, using a closed mixer. The analysis showed that the obtained thermoplastic polyurethanes were synthesized successfully. The addition of the montmorillonite in the TPUs resulted in the formation of sheets of clay dispersed in order intercalated, partially exfoliated, exfoliated and agglomerate in the TPU matrix. With the addition of clay there were changes in the behavior of crystallization, thermal stability and degradation mechanism, as well as an increase in the values of the apparent activation energy of this process. The mobility of certain polymer segments was also changed with the addition of the clay. Therefore viscoelastic and morphological changes were observed in the nanocomposites in dependence on the amount of organophilic clay used, as well as the addition of the organophilic decreased the thermal stability of the thermoplastic polyurethane, making nanocomposites more susceptible to changes in the melting and crystallization processes due to exposure to elevated temperatures.

Materiais naturais nanoestruturados, tipo smectita, têm sido amplamente usados em nanocompósitos poliméricos, com ganhos expressivos em muitas propriedades. Porém, devido a sua natureza polar, seu uso em nanocompósitos de poliolefinas apresenta uma série de problemas. Entre esses problemas está a dificuldade de esfoliação na matriz, o que geralmente resulta um sistema não nano-estruturado e, por conseqüência, com pouco ou nenhum ganho em propriedades. Para tentar resolver esse problema, materiais tipo esmectita têm sido modificados com sais de amônio quartenário. Esses, por sua vez, possuem características tóxicas, impedindo seu uso em embalagens de alimentos. Com o objetivo de estudar uma nova alternativa que contorne esses problemas, dois materiais lamelares nano-estruturados, tipo esmectita, contendo grupos alquila ligados por ligação sigma com a rede inorgânica, foram sintetizados. Ambos apresentaram excelente ordem mesoestrutural. Um dos materiais sintetizados, formado por um Alsilsesquioxano lamelar, contendo alto teor de cadeia alquila entre as lamelas inorgânicas, foi usado na formação de compósito de polietileno. Comparativamente, uma argila natural, modificada com sais de amônio quaternário (Cloisite 15A), foi usada para fins comparativos. Os compósitos, então obtidos, foram caracterizados para avaliar diferenças microestruturais, morfológicas e mudanças em suas propriedades mecânicas e reológicas. Comparativamente à argila comercial Cloisite 15A, os compósitos contendo os materiais sintéticos apresentaram reologia diferenciada, melhor resistência ao impacto e ao Tensofissuramento Acelerado pelo Ambiente (ESCR). / Nanostructured natural materials, as smectites, have been widely used in polymeric nanocomposites, with significant gains in many properties. However, due to its polar nature, the use in nanocomposites of polyolefins presents a series of drawbacks. Among these problems, its difficulty exfoliation in the matrix, which generally results in a system not nanostructured and, consequently, with little or no gain on properties. To try to resolve this problem, materials type smectite have been modified with quaternary ammonium salts. These salts, in turn, have toxic characteristics, preventing its use in food packaging. In order to study a new alternative that bypasses these problems, two lamellar nanostructured materials, like smectite, with alkyl groups containing sigma links connected to lamellar inorganic network, were synthesized. Both materials had excellent mesostructural order. One of the synthesized materials, formed by a lamellar Al-silsesquioxane, containing high levels of alkyl chain between the inorganic lamella, was used in the formation of a polyethylene composite. Commercial natural clay, modified with quaternary ammonium salts (Cloisite 15A), was used for comparative purposes. The composites then obtained, were characterized to assess microstructural differences, morphological change, and its mechanical and rheological properties. Comparatively to commercial clay (Cloisite 15A), the composites containing synthetic materials, showed differented rheologics properties, better impact resistance and better Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR).