Nanocomposites Based on Liquid Crystalline Resins

The intercalation and exfoliation of liquid crystalline resins (LCRs) in the presence of organophilic montmorillonite were investigated. Their properties were compared with those of pristine resin, as well as with those of nanocomposites based on a commercial epoxy resin containing the same amounts of nanoclays. It was demonstrated that the dispersion of inorganic fillers has a detrimental effect on thermal and mechanical properties if a liquid crystalline (LC) matrix is used. In particular, tensile strength of LC nanocomposites is reduced with the increasing amount of organoclay, which, somehow, disturb the molecular order in the liquid crystalline resin.