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Preparation of exfoliated high‐impact polystyrene/MMT nanocomposites via in situ polymerization under controlling viscosity of the reaction medium
Author(s) -
Uthirakumar Periyayya,
Kim Hee Joo,
Hong ChangHee,
Suh EunKyung,
Lee YounSik
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20359
Subject(s) - materials science , organoclay , polymerization , polystyrene , montmorillonite , cationic polymerization , nanocomposite , polybutadiene , thermal stability , styrene , radical polymerization , polymer , in situ polymerization , bulk polymerization , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , composite material , copolymer , engineering
Exfoliated high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization of styrene in the presence of polybutadiene, using an intercalated cationic radical initiator‐MMT hybrid (organoclay). In the solution polymerization in toluene, the silicate layers of the clay were well exfoliated, due to the low extra‐gallery viscosity that can facilitate the diffusion of styrene monomers into the clay layers during the polymerization. The exfoliated HIPS/MMT nanocomposites were also successfully prepared by controlling the viscosity of the reaction medium with prolong swelling of the organoclay in styrene, prior to bulk polymerization. The HIPS/MMT nanocomposites, obtained from bulk polymerization, exhibited a significant improvement in thermal stability, compared to those obtained from solution polymerization as well as the pure polymer counterparts. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers