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Three polystyrene (PS)/clay hybrid systems have been prepared via in situ polymerization of styrene in the presence of unmodified sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) clay, MMT modified with zwitterionic cationic surfactant octadecyldimethyl betaine (C18DMB) and MMT modified with polymerizable cationic surfactant vinylbenzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (VDAC). X‐ray diffraction and TEM were used to probe mineral layer organization and to expose the morphology of these systems. The PS/Na‐MMT composite was found to exhibit a conventional composite structure consisting of unintercalated micro and nanoclay particles homogeneously dispersed in the PS matrix. The PS/C18DMB‐MMT system exhibited an intercalated layered silicate nanocomposite structure consisting of intercalated tactoids dispersed in the PS matrix. Finally, the PS/VDAC‐MMT system exhibited features of both intercalated and exfoliated nanocomposites. Systematic statistical analysis of aggregate orientation, characteristic width, length, aspect ratio, and number of layers using multiple TEM micrographs enabled the development of representative morphological models for each of the nanocomposite structures. Oxygen barrier properties of all three PS/clay hybrid systems were measured as a function of mineral composition and analyzed in terms of traditional Nielsen and Cussler approaches. A modification of the Nielsen model has been proposed, which considers the effect of layer aggregation (layer stacking) on gas barrier. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1733–1753, 2007

The polymerization mechanism of methylol-functional benzoxazine monomers is reported using a series of monofunctional benzoxazine monomers synthesized via a condensation reaction of ortho-, meta-, or para-methylol–phenol, aniline, and paraformaldehyde following the traditional route of benzoxazine synthesis. A phenol/aniline-type monofunctional benzoxazine monomer has been synthesized as a control. The structures of the synthesized monomers have been confirmed by 1H NMR and FT-IR. The polymerization behavior of methylol monomers is studied by DSC and shows an exothermic peak associated with condensation reaction of methylol groups and ring-opening polymerization of benzoxazine at a lower temperature range than the control monomer. The presence of methylol group accelerates the ring-opening polymerization to give the ascending order of para-, meta-, and ortho-positions in comparison to the unfunctionalized monomer. Furthermore, rheological measurements show that the position of methylol group relative to benzoxazine structure plays a significant role in accelerating the polymerization.

The present study reports for the first time the use of biobased chitosan-polybenzoxazine (CTS-PBZ) as a precursor for high CO 2 adsorbing carbon aerogels (CAs). Montmorillonite (MMT) is used to reinforce the CTS-PBZ aerogel. MMT-CTS-PBZ nanocomposite aerogels are synthesized using the freeze-drying technique and then cross-linked via ring-opening polymerization of benzoxazine followed by carbonization at 800 °C. Polybenzoxazine improves the structural stability for removing CO 2 from the environment even at a high pressure. The properties of polymeric and nanocomposite aerogels have been evaluated using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The microstructure of the CAs is characterized by N 2 adsorption−desorption measurements. The CAs exhibit mesoporous materials with pore sizes in the range of 2−7 nm and high BET surface area. The total pore volume of CAs is as large as 0.296 cm 3 g −1 , and the maximum BET surface area is 710 m 2 g −1 . Breakthrough curves of CO 2 adsorption show high CO 2 adsorption capacity at ambient conditions and excellent CO 2 adsorption−desorption reversible performance with a maximum of 5.72 mmol g −1 . Adsorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of CO 2 adsorption are described.

A novel class of polymer blends has been prepared from main-chain-type benzoxazine polymer (MCBP) and chitosan (CTS), a modified biomacromolecule. A water-soluble, main-chain-type benzoxazine polymer, MCBP(BA-tepa), was synthesized from the reaction of bisphenol A (BA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and formalin. The structure of the MCBP(BA-tepa) was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The polymer blends were prepared by mixing MCBP(BA-tepa) and CTS in aqueous acetic acid solution (1%). The CTS/MCBP(BA-tepa) films are cross-linked by thermal treatment via the ring-opening polymerization of benzoxazine structures in the main chain to produce an AB-cross-linked network. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR were used to study the effects of CTS on the polymerization behavior of benzoxazine. Hydrogen bonding between polybenzoxazine and CTS structures was also observed. The mechanical and thermal properties of cross-linked CTS/MCBP(BA-tepa) films were evaluated, and the results showed unusual levels of synergism. In particular, the tensile strength and thermal stability were significantly enhanced in a nonlinear fashion.