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Preparation of Al(OH) 3 /PMMA nanocomposites by emulsion polymerization
Author(s) -
Park S. Y.,
Park E. J.,
Lee M. Y.,
Park C.,
Kim H. G.,
Jeong E. D.,
Lim K. T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1197
Subject(s) - materials science , emulsion polymerization , thermogravimetric analysis , nanocomposite , thermal stability , methyl methacrylate , emulsion , polymerization , polymer chemistry , composite number , methacrylate , morphology (biology) , chemical engineering , silane , composite material , polymer , biology , engineering , genetics
Abstract Al(OH) 3 /PMMA nanocomposites were prepared by the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of surface‐functionalized Al(OH) 3 particles. Nanosized Al(OH) 3 particles were previously functionalized with a silane coupling agent, 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate ( γ ‐MPS), which was confirmed by FT‐IR and XRF analysis. The average size of seed particles was around 70 nm, and the density of the coupling agent on the particles was calculated to be 8.9 µmol m −2 . The emulsion polymerization was attempted at relatively high solid content of 40–46 wt%. The ratio of the seed particles to MMA had a strong influence on the stability of latex as well as the morphology of composites. Nanocomposites where several PMMA nodules were attached on the surface of Al(OH) 3 core were produced with stable latex emulsion when the weight percents of Al(OH) 3 to MMA were below 20. In the case of higher ratio of 30%, however, the latexes became unstable with an aggregation, and the product morphology was in the shape of large composite. Thermogravimetric analysis showed an improved thermal stability of PMMA composites with the incorporation of Al(OH) 3 nanoparticles. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.