Preparation and Interaction Characteristics of Organically Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposite with Miscible Polymer Blend of Poly(Ethylene Oxide) and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

Abstract

The intercalation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) in the polymer blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been demonstrated using dichloromethane as the cosolvent at room temperature. X-ray diffraction has been used to confirm the formation of nanoscale polymers-OMMT hybrids and the localization of the polymers between the organosilicate layers. The silicate nanocomposites have higher tensile modulus and elongation at break than the polymer matrix, revealing the dispersion of the clay particles in the polymer matrix. The specific interaction between the components was quantified by the Flory-Huggins interaction parameters, B, for pairs, determined by combining the melting point depression and the binary interaction model. The estimated B values for the binary PMMA/OMMT and PEO/OMMT pairs were all negative, showing both proper intercalation of the polymer into the gallery of OMMT and the homogeneous dispersion of OMMT in the polymer matrix. The B value for the PMMA/OMMT pair was smaller than that measured for the PEO/OMMT pair, suggesting that PMMA had better affinity for OMMT than PEO.

Solvent-based nanocomposite coatings

“…Several routes were developed to achieve a high degree of dispersion of the clay nanoplatelets which are described in details in a recent review of literature realized by Alexandre and Dubois [6]: (i) in situ polymerization of monomers which were initially intercalated between silicate layers [7][8][9][10], (ii) melt intercalation and further exfoliation for thermoplastic polymers [11][12][13], and (iii) combination with a polymer solution [14][15][16].…”

Nanocomposites Based on Phyllosilicates: From Petrochemicals to Renewable Thermoplastic Matrices

“…In miscible systems, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) ( PMMA )/ poly(ethylene oxide) ( PEO ) [19,20] , the morphological analysis can be carried out as in a general polymeric matrix. However, in immiscible systems, such as poly(propylene) ( PP )/ poly(styrene) ( PS ), both XRD patterns and TEM observations have shown that the silicate layers were either intercalated or exfoliated, depending on their interactions with the polymer pair, and were located at the interface between the two polymers [21] .…”

Morphology Effect of Anodized TiO2 Nanotubes Active Anodes on Dye Sensitive Solar Cell

“…Polyethylene oxide attains a high degree of crystallinity, approximately 60 %, at room temperature. Polymer blends display a practical and efficient way to fulfill novel requirements for material properties and applications [9,10]. The addition of salt to the polymer provides mobile ions and the polymer host chains play a critical role in ionic transport process of the polymer electrolytes.…”