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Abstract Surface energies described by Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) of a synthetic organophilic fluoromica (MAE), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), and graphene are used to predict their delamination properties in a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). This prediction suggests MAE as the most appropriate filler for COC, followed by MoS 2 and graphene. Nanocomposites are prepared via solution process and have been investigated on their delamination state using X-ray-diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and angle-resolved light scattering (ARS). Nanocomposites based on MAE shown morphologies close to complete delamination. Agglomerations are detected in the case of MoS 2 and graphene. For a potential barrier application, water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) are experimentally determined. In such nanocomposites, inorganic fillers increase the diffusion length of water, known as tortuous path model, which enhances the barrier properties. Highest barrier enhancements are obtained using MAE based nanocomposites reducing the WVTR down to 40% of the initial value. The prediction of delamination based on Hansen solubility parameters is found to be a very helpful tool for selecting fillers in composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of different surface energies described by Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) on the exfoliation of organophilic fluoromicas is investigated. HSP values of four synthetic organophilic fluoromica with different surfactants have been predetermined. Those surfactants change the fluoromica surface energies described by HSP. The HSP are used to calculate the dispersibility of the various organophilic fluoromica in chloroform via Flory-Huggins (F-H) theory. The F-H parameter (χ) describes the effective difference in HSP related surface energies of particles and chloroform molecules, which is related to the energy cost of exfoliation. An influence of F-H parameter is detected on the delamination state of organophilic fluoromica. The delamination state is evaluated quantitatively using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the case of a high F-H parameter (χ > 0.15), aggregated and unstable fluoromica dispersions are obtained. Whereas in the case of F-H parameters near zero, exfoliated and stable fluoromica dispersions are achieved. The presence of surfactant on the surface of exfoliated fluoromica flakes is proven by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]