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Properties of high‐impact polystyrene/organoclay nanocomposites synthesized via in situ polymerization
Author(s) -
Hwang Sung Jun,
Joo Yong Lak,
Lee Seong Jae
Publication year - 2008
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.28546
Subject(s) - organoclay , materials science , nanocomposite , composite material , montmorillonite , thermal stability , polystyrene , polymer , dynamic mechanical analysis , in situ polymerization , natural rubber , polymerization , intercalation (chemistry) , ultimate tensile strength , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
High‐impact polystyrene (HIPS)/organically modified montmorillonite (organoclay) nanocomposites were synthesized via in situ polymerization. The effects of the organoclay on the morphology and material properties of HIPS/organoclay nanocomposites were investigated. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy experiments revealed that intercalation of polymer chains into silicate layers was achieved, and the addition of nanoclay led to an increase in the size of the rubber domain in the composites. In comparison with neat HIPS, the HIPS/organoclay nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal stability as well as an increase in both the complex viscosity and storage modulus. The presence of intercalated organoclay drastically enhanced the gas‐barrier properties because of the increase in the tortuosity of the diffusive path for a penetrating gas molecule. Some mechanical properties, including the tensile modulus, were superior to those of conventional HIPS. Finally, the preparation of the nanocomposites with a minimal loss of impact properties was proposed through changes in the synthetic procedure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008