US Patent 8143339 - Silica nanocomposite polymers

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8143339.html

This patent from the University of Massachusetts is based on the finding that blending silica nanoparticles with polymers can result in flame resistant composites applicable to garments, furniture, automobile components, etc. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanocomposite composition comprising:

a graft polymer comprising a base polymer modified with a polar grafting agent; and

nano-sized silica particles comprising silanol surface groups,

wherein the graft polymer is blended with the silica particles, and

wherein 1% to 10% by weight of the composition is silica.