Nanocomposites Prepared by Threading Polymer Chains through Zeolites, Mesoporous Silica, or Silica Nanotubes

The purpose of this brief review is to describe some recent, preliminary attempts to prepare nanocomposites in which polymer chains thread through the cavities or channels of several types of inorganic materials, specifically zeolites, a mesoporous hexagonal form of silica, and silica nanotubes. One goal is to determine the effects of the constraining geometry on the properties of the chains, in particular, their glass transition temperatures. Another is the hope that this molecular threading will provide such intimate interactions between the polymer chains and their inorganic environment that novel reinforcement effects will be obtained.