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Plasma‐modified halloysite nanocomposites: effect of plasma modification on the structure and dynamic mechanical properties of halloysite–polystyrene nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Shamsi Mohtashim H,
Luqman Mohammad,
Basarir Fevzihan,
Kim JoonSeop,
Yoon TaeHo,
Geckeler Kurt E
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2946
Subject(s) - halloysite , materials science , dynamic mechanical analysis , nanocomposite , polystyrene , composite material , glass transition , polymer , montmorillonite , epoxy , coating
Plasma polymerization of styrene was used to modify the hydrophilic surfaces of halloysite nanotubes to investigate the reinforcement effect of new hydrophobic surfaces on the dynamic mechanical properties of halloysite–polystyrene nanocomposites at various degrees of loading. Pristine and plasma‐modified halloysite–polystyrene nanocomposites were synthesized by solution blending and characterized using various techniques. The storage moduli and glass transition temperatures of the composites were analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that the rubbery moduli increased substantially after plasma coating with styrene due to the compatibility of the new hydrophobic halloysite surfaces with the polystyrene polymer matrix. In addition, the rubbery moduli increased with increasing amount of clay. The glass transition temperatures of the composites did not change significantly with the amount of clay. The strengths of the plasma‐modified composites were also compared with those of recently reported halloysite–epoxy resin composites. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry