Gas Transport Through Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites

This chapter introduces gas transport properties exhibited by polymer nanocomposite films. It starts by presenting a little review of elaboration methods of nanocomposite films. It is thereafter mentioned the filler morphology within a thermoplastic matrix obtained depending on the filler dispersion level, on the filler origin, on the filler surface-chemical modification, and on filler/matrix compatibility. The influence of the filler morphology on gas transport properties of the resulting hybrid films and the role played by filler/matrix interfacial regions is then examined. By the end of the chapter, the nanocomposite structure/gas transport performances relationships are explained through permeation kinetics, the choice of gas diffusing species (differing in Van der Waals molar volumes), and the corresponding parameters such as gas permeability, diffusivity, and solubility. The permeation parameter rankings for the nanocomposite films as a function of gas molecules are featured to be compatible with Van Krevelen's statements.