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Synthesis and properties of polystyrene–clay nanocomposites via in situ intercalative polymerization
Author(s) -
Qi Rongrong,
Jin Xing,
Nie Jinghui,
Yu Wei,
Zhou Chixing
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.21747
Subject(s) - montmorillonite , polystyrene , materials science , nanocomposite , thermal stability , polymer chemistry , thermal decomposition , polymerization , intercalation (chemistry) , styrene , glass transition , radical polymerization , polymer clay , chemical engineering , copolymer , polymer , aqueous solution , emulsion polymerization , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Organophilic montmorillonite (MMT) was prepared by ion exchange between Na + ions in the clay and twin benzyldimethyloctadecylammonium bromine cations in an aqueous medium. The organophilic MMT particles were easily dispersed and swollen in styrene monomer. Polystyrene–MMT nanocomposites were prepared by the free‐radical polymerization of styrene containing dispersed clay. The intercalation spacing in the nanocomposites and the degree of dispersion of these composites were investigated with X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The nanocomposites had higher weight‐average molecular weights, lower glass‐transition temperatures, and better thermal stability (the decomposition temperature was improved by ca. 70°C) than the virgin polystyrene. The rheological behavior of the polystyrene–MMT nanocomposites was also studied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 201–207, 2005