Preparation of super HIPS via nanocomposite assemblies in the presence of toughener- intercalant

Abstract

Highly toughened super high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)/organophilic montmorillonite (Org-MMT) nanocomposite was prepared by solution blending method. Organophilic modification of MMT layered silicate was achieved by using a special toughener-intercalant, quaternary ammonium salt of -tertiary amine functionalized polybutadiene and shown by X-ray diffraction analysis. The resulting HIPS/Org-MMT nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and static and dynamic mechanical analyses. The morphological study of HIPS/Org-MMT nanocomposite showed that nanolayers were exfoliated in nanocomposite and moreover caused much more well dispersed and reduced PS occluded rubber domains. This mechanism was found to be responsible for dramatic increase in toughness of nanocomposites. Additionally, improved thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the resultant nanocomposite promises to open a new way for highly toughened super HIPSs via nanocomposite assemblies even with a very low degree of clay loading.

In situ Synthesis of Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites by Living and Controlled/Living Polymerization

“…[54] The resulting clay was used for the preparation super high impact polystyrene (HIPS) nanocomposites. Morphological studies showed that, as compared to conventional HIPS, in the nanocomposite, the polystyrene occluded rubber domains dispersed more homogeneously with much smaller size, approx.…”

New photoinitiating systems designed for polymer/inorganic hybrid nanocoatings

“…The other possibilities for the in situ preparation of polymer/clay nanocomposites include various polymerization methods such as cationic ring opening polymerization, anionic polymerization, chain transfer reactions, and mechanistic transformations. [58][59][60][61][62][63] Direct photoinitiation Charged ammonium ions are known to intercalate between the clay layers through ion exchange process. Thus, any photoinitiator possessing quaternized ammonium ion could easily be incorporated into clay surface and used as photoinitiator for the polymerization of particular monomer involved.…”