Morphology and rheology of polystyrene nanocomposites based upon organoclay

Synthesis and Rheology of Intercalated Polystyrene/Na+-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

“…The tendency of the clay-filled materials to crosslink might be another reason for this thermal stability. Particle network formation via interparticle interactions and self-assembly has been reported for PS, [21,33] poly(propylene), [34] and PMMA [35] nanocomposites. Figure 3 shows the steady shear viscosity versus shear rate for PS and PS/Na + -MMTs at 200 8C.…”

“…The melt intercalation of PS into organically modified sodium bentonite, a layered mica-type silicate, was also observed, which led to an increase in the spacing between silicate layers of approximately 25%. [20] Furthermore, Hoffmann et al [21] reported a correlation between the morphology and rheology of exfoliated PS nanocomposites based on organophilic layered silicates such as fluoromicas. The intercalated PS/clay nanocomposites were prepared by polymerization of styrene in the organophilic and hydrophilic clays, [22] and exhibited better thermal stability than PS.…”

Preparation and Rheological Characteristics of Solvent-Cast Poly(ethylene oxide)/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

“…The unusual rheological properties of nanocomposites are still poorly understood. [8,17,18] PEO is highly soluble in water as well as in a variety of organic liquids. Since PEO is a non-ionic polymer that can act as a solid solvent for metal salts, it can be used as an electrolyte material for solid-state batteries or sensors.…”

Morphological Stability of Poly(propylene) Nanocomposites

“…These methods fail in detecting the three-dimensional superstructure of silicate layers. A good approach to obtain such information is the rheological measurement, which is very sensitive to elastic properties of network-like superstructures as described by Krishnamoorti et al, [14] Giannelis et al, [15] Hoffmann et al, [16,17] Lim et al, [18] Ren et al, [19] and Solomon et al [20] Most of these investigations implicate that the morphology obtained after preparation does not change during small amplitude oscillatory shear experiments, meaning that the morphology is stable on a long time-scale. Under these conditions, no structural changes of the nanocomposites where observed so far.…”