Polymers and Polymer Composites

POLYSTYRENE-ORGANOCLAY NANOCOMPOSITES PREPARED VIA IN-SITU EMULSION POLYMERIZATION

March 1, 2013 By: Cetintas M; Uyanik N Research article

Title: POLYSTYRENE-ORGANOCLAY NANOCOMPOSITES PREPARED VIA IN-SITU EMULSION POLYMERIZATION
Page Range: p.151-156
Author(s): Cetintas M; Uyanik N
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 21
Issue No: No.3

Abstract
In this study, polystyrene-clay nanocomposites (PSNC’s) were prepared via in-situ bulk and in-situ emulsion polymerisation. The effect of organoclay and the architecture of surfactant were investigated. For the investigation of the effect of surfactant, organoclays were synthesised containing clay modifiers having different structures. Trimethylhexadecyl ammonium chloride, dimethylbenzylhexadecyl ammonium chloride and dimethylbenzyl(4vinyl) hexadecyl ammonium chloride, which is synthesised in laboratory, modified clays were synthesised. Pristine polystyrene (PS) was synthesised by bulk and emulsion polymerisation for comparison, and PSNC’s containing 3 wt.% organoclays were prepared by both these polymerisation methods. Structural analysis of synthesised surfactant was identified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer. The interlayer spacing of silicate layers and the morphology of samples were examined by using the X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Spectrometer and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, respectively. Thermal properties of nanocomposites were determined by Thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). It is observed that organoclays and PS were compatible to each other and each organoclay could form a nanocomposite structure with PS. PSNC’s exhibited better properties than pristine PS. Nanocomposites prepared by in-situ emulsion polymerisation resulted with better thermal properties and higher interlayer distances than that prepared by in-situ bulk polymerisation. In order to improve some properties of PS such as thermal stability, preparation of PSNC’s by in-situ emulsion polymerisation has been suggested. 12 Refs.


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