Nanocomposites based on an organically modified bentonite, from Maghnia Algeria (OBT) and a copolymer of methyl methacrylate with 4-vinylpyridine (PMM4VP) synthesized in dioxan at room temperature using a neutral Ni(II)a-benzoinoxime complex as a single component initiator, were elaborated via solution intercalation method and characterized by several techniques. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations indicate that mainly exfoliated and intercalated PMM4VP/OBT nanocomposites were elaborated and that the degree of exfoliation decreases with an increase of the OBT loading. Thermal analyses of these nanocomposites compared with their virgin copolymer confirmed a significant improvement of their thermal stability as evidenced by an increase of 28 C in their onset degradation temperatures. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry displayed an increase in the range of 12-18 C in their glass transition temperatures relative to their virgin copolymer.

No abstract

Binary and ternary blends based on an organically modified bentonite, originated from Maghnia Algeria (OBT), poly (styrene‐co‐allyl alcohol) (PSAA) containing 40 mol% of allyl alcohol and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) of different ratios, are elaborated via solution intercalation method in tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvent. These binary and ternary blends are investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Due to the occurrence of favorable specific interactions between the constituents of the blends, as evidenced by FTIR, PSAA40/CAB system is miscible in the whole composition range. Indeed, a single glass transition temperature (Tg), intermediate between those of the pure components is observed with each initial mixture. The effect of the organo‐clay and its dispersion within the blend matrix on the morphology and thermal behavior of the miscible PSAA/CAB blends of different ratios and of their corresponding ternary hybrids blends is discussed. The Tg of the ternary blends increased by 5–10 °C compared with their corresponding virgin blends. Significant improvement of thermal stability of ternary hybrids compared to their virgin ones was evidenced by TGA.