Dispersion and improvement of organoclays in nanocomposites based on poly(propylene oxide)

Abstract

This work is mainly concentrated on the preparation and characterization of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO)/organic clay nanocomposites. The effects of the nature of organoclays and the method of preparation have been elucidated to evaluate their morphological, structural and thermal properties. These nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This study involved the use of an Algerian clay called ‘maghnite’ which was modified by an incorporation method using different concentrations of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Propylene oxide (PO) was polymerized in the presence of ethylene glycol and various proportions of organic clay ranging from 1%, 5% and 10% by weight. The structural study by XRD showed, at different loading rates of maghnite and PO in the preparation of PPO/maghnite nanocomposites, different morphologies: intercalated/exfoliated blend and intercalated/agglomerated. TGA showed that the intercalation of PPO at the montmorillonite (MMT)-CTA interface would be more advantageous since the required amount of 5% organic clay (by weight) ensures high thermal stability of the nanocomposites, and the glass transition temperature ( T g) of PPO/MMT nanocomposites is higher than that of PPO since this increase is due to the introduction of clay into the matrix which makes the nanocomposite more rigid.

Impact of clay modifier on structure, thermal, mechanical and transport properties in polyurethane/Maghnite nanocomposites as barrier materials

“…[14] The clay galleries were found to be more extensive as the polymerization time increased [15] .The presence of 5 nm spaced clay particles was shown to improve the properties of polyurethane nanocomposites, including tensile strength, tensile modulus and stress at break. [16,17] Clays have many functions in a wide range of environmental areas and the number of applications is increasing. [18,19] The reason for the high adsorption capacity of clays is primarily due to their large speci c surface area [20].…”

Synergistic effect of organic clay fillers based on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the synthesis of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanocomposites

“…Both processes produce a pure, insoluble material that does not melt below the decomposition temperature. 21,22 Recently, PEDOT nanoparticle in aqueous media have been developed from ammonium persulphate and the surfactant dodecylbenzene. 23 Ballav et al have made an exception by preparing polythiophene/montmorillonite nanocomposites by directly reacting the monomer and montmorillonite-Na + without solvent.…”