Periadurai T., Vijayakumar C.T., Balasubramanian M.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, IN
Keywords: clay, nanocomposites, thermal decomposition
In the present study, a clay-phenolic nanocomposite with 5 wt. % clay was synthesized through in-situ polymerization. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic studies indicate the formation of nanocomposites. Thermal stability of the phenolic resin and its nanocomposites with 5 wt. % clay has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal decomposition of nanocomposites occurs at a higher temperature compared to the phenolic resin due to the presence of clay layers. In this work, migration products of nanocomposites were studied by off-line pyrolysis and gas chromatographic mass spectrometry technique. The results from clay-phenolic nanocomposites are compared with those from phenolic resin to examine the influence of nanoclay on the thermal degradation behavior. Apart from the identification of the volatile products formed, the mechanism of formation of the products is proposed in accordance with the previously developed general mechanism for phenolic resin degradation. The decomposition product analysis suggests that the decomposition of phenolic resin involves hemolytic breakdown of methylene linkage to yield phenol and cresols. The clay-phenolic nanocomposite shows completely different degradation product distribution pattern, which may be attributed to the presence of Si-O-C linkages formed between clay and phenolic resin.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2011: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles, Films and Composites
Published: June 13, 2011
Pages: 554 - 557
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topics: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications, Composite Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4398-7142-3