Water-based polyamide imide – nanoclay coating: Preparation, characterization, thermal stability and visible transparency

In this study, water-based polyamide-imide (PAI)/clay nanocomposites were prepared using the solution intercalation technique. For this purpose, organo-montmorillonite (Cloisite 20A, C20A) was introduced into water-based polyamide-imide resin matrices. The water-based PAI (WBP)/Cloisite20A (C20A) nanocomposites film and the coating containing 1, 3 and 5 wt% of C20A were prepared using solution intercalation method by blending C20A and WBP solution. The morphology and structure of WBP/C20A nanostructured films containing 1, 3 and 5 wt% organoclay were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). The distribution of C20A in WBP was revealed through XRD, FE-SEM and EDX-map. Furthermore, the thermal decomposition and optical transparency of WBP/C20A nanocomposites were examined. Thermogravimetric analysis and UV–vis spectroscopy indicated that the addition of C20A into the WBP matrix decreased the thermal decomposition temperatures and the optical transparency of the obtained nanocomposites, as compared to the pure WBP.