Plasma‐modified halloysite nanocomposites: effect of plasma modification on the structure and dynamic mechanical properties of halloysite–polystyrene nanocomposites

Abstract

Plasma polymerization of styrene was used to modify the hydrophilic surfaces of halloysite nanotubes to investigate the reinforcement effect of new hydrophobic surfaces on the dynamic mechanical properties of halloysite-polystyrene nanocomposites at various degrees of loading. Pristine and plasma-modified halloysite-polystyrene nanocomposites were synthesized by solution blending and characterized using various techniques. The storage moduli and glass transition temperatures of the composites were analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that the rubbery moduli increased substantially after plasma coating with styrene due to the compatibility of the new hydrophobic halloysite surfaces with the polystyrene polymer matrix. In addition, the rubbery moduli increased with increasing amount of clay. The glass transition temperatures of the composites did not change significantly with the amount of clay. The strengths of the plasma-modified composites were also compared with those of recently reported halloysite-epoxy resin composites.

Electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) composite nanofibers with halloysite nanotubes for the sustained release of sodium d‐pantothenate

“…This confirmed the presence of SDP on the surface of the HNTs. This observation corresponded to other research …”

Toughening linear low-density polyethylene with halloysite nanotubes

“…Furthermore, the IR spectra of the HNT nanopowders are included in the correspondent plots. Most of the peaks recognizable in the IR spectrum of tHNT nanopowder correspond to those reported in the literature . In particular, the bands at 797 and 755 cm −1 are assigned to translational vibrations of the external OH groups as well as out‐of‐plane OH bending, while the peak at 695 cm −1 is related to the perpendicular SiO stretching bond.…”

Flame‐retardant materials: synergistic effect of halloysite nanotubes on the flammability properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene composites

“…Also reported recently was the effect of the incorporation of HNTs with other traditional flame retardants on the fire and mechanical properties of butadiene–acrylonitrile rubber and the effect of modified HNTs on the flammability and thermal stability of butadiene–acrylonitrile and butadiene–styrene rubbers . In our previous studies we investigated composites of HNTs with DNA, polystyrene and polyaniline …”