Ginil Mon (34 yrs.) a chemist who has specialized in Polymer Chemistry got his doctorate for his thesis “Thermal And Mechanical Characteristics of Novel Peroxide-Cured Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer-Neoprene Composite Films with Clay/Graphite Fillers” from the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. His paper presented in Indraprastha International Conclave on Nano Science and Technology, New Delhi during November 16-17, 2010 was adjudged the best. He has six publications to his credit with 34 citations, h-index 4 and i10-index 1. An International Resource Person, he is working in Nanotechnology, Polymer Nanocomposites, Spectroscopy and Molecular Docking. A fellow of Indian Science Congress, member of editorial boards for journals, reviewer of four international journals, currently he is teaching in the Department of Chemistry and Research, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam near Cape Commorin

Nanocomposites have definite advantages over conventional composites due to their light weight, low cost and excellent mechanical, thermal, optical and electrical properties. Clays and layered silicates are well suited for this purpose as they provide polymer-clay Nanocomposites (PCNs) and polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites (PLSNs). Elastomers and rubbers are very promising polymeric matrices for the preparation of PCNs because of their multi-characteristic applications. Non-polar EPDM demands polar inducement in the form of compatibilizing agents for getting a homogeneous blend with neoprene.

EPDM/neoprene matrices are prepared by solvent blending without any compatibilizing agents. Morphological studies and single Tg values have established an excellent compatibility of the blend, further confirmed by their enhanced mechanical characteristics. Organo-modified MMT Clay (CA-MMT) and locally available Kaolinite have been filled in the EPDM/Neoprene matrices to prepare their respective nanocomposites. The CA-MMT is adjudged as the most efficient filler as shown by the comparative studies, even though kaolinite too has shown comparable characteristics in a few cases. It is suggested that kaolinite could be a promising filler to be modified further to attain still better results.