Polymer Nanocomposite of Montmorillonite modified with Oligomeric Amine Derivatives

Keywords:
polymer nanocomposite, MMT, modifier, amine derivative

Abstract:
Polymer/clay nanocomposites are nanoscale level and low amounts of clay filled polymers with outstanding chemical, physical and mechanical properties that cannot be obtained with conventional macro- and micro-composites. To prepare nanocomposites, a general technique involves the compatibilization between polymer and organically modified layered silicate that intercalated with organic molecule, typically an organic alkylammouium salt. In this study, various alkyl amine and oligomeric amine derivatives were treated with montmorillonite(MMT) for the preparation of amine-modified MMT(A-MMT). With A-MMT, the polystyrene(PS)/MMT and poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)/ MMT nanocomposites were prepared by the solution and in-situ polymerization methods. The structures of A-MMT and polymer nanocomposite were investigated by X-ray diffration (XRD). The modifier content in A-MMT determined by thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA) was found to be 10-40 wt% and dependent on the structure of modifier. The d-spacing of MMT measured with XRD increased by incorporation of modifier and was strongly dependent on the structure of modifier. For a modifier of oligomeric diamine, polyoxypropylenediamine (Mw: 2000), the d-spacing of A-MMT was found to be 45.3_, the largest value ever reported. With XRD, it was found that PMMA/MMT nanocomposite was exfoliated while PS/MMT nanocomposite was intercalated. This observation might be explained by the higher interaction of polar PMMA with A-MMT compared to nonpolar PS.

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Nanotech 2005 Conference Program Abstract