Synthesis of polymer montmorillonite nanocomposites byin situintercalative polymerization

Abstract

Two polymer–montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites have been synthesized by in situ intercalative polymerization. The styrene monomer is intercalated into the interlayer space of organically modified MMT, a layered clay mineral. Upon the intercalation, the complex is subsequently polymerized in the confinement environment of the interlayer space with a free radical initiator, 2,2-azobis isobutyronitrile. The aniline monomer is also intercalated and then polymerized within the interlayer space of sodium-and copper-MMT initiated by ammonium peroxodisulphate and interlayer copper cations respectively. X-ray diffraction indicates that the MMT layers are completely dispersed in the polystyrene matrix and an exfoliated structure has been obtained. The resulting polyaniline–MMT nanocomposites show a highly ordered structure of a single polyaniline layer stacked with the MMT layers. Fourier transform infrared spectra further confirm the intercalation and formation of both polymer–MMT nanocomposites.

Synthesis, Characterization and Studies of PANI-MMT Nanocompoisites

“…Montmorillonite is a hydrophilic mineral and b elongs to the general family of 2:1 (so -called s mectite) phyllosilicates co mposed of stacked layers of alu minum octahedron and silicon tetrahedrons. Substitution of alu minum with magnesiu m will create an overall negative charge which is co mpensated by exchangeable metal cat ions such as Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ [1]. Characteristics of clay minerals which make them important are their particle size and shape, cation exchangeability, adsorption properties and large su rface area.…”

Polyaniline: Thin films and colloidal dispersions (IUPAC Technical Report)

“…The powders of inorganic oxides, like silicon dioxide [40,41], titanium dioxide [42], copper(II) oxide [43], and ferrites [44], may serve as examples of another group of materials which have been modified on the surface with PANI. Special attention has been paid to montmorillonite and related clays [45][46][47][48]. The applications of surface-modified substrates range from sensors and electronic noses [18,49], electrodes [30,50], conducting fillers [51], electro-rheological suspensions [42,48,52], corrosion protection [45], gas-separation membranes [29], and catalysis of organic reactions [53] to electromagnetic interference shielding [34] or increasing the dielectric breakdown of polymer films [28].…”

Versatile method for synthesis of electrically conductive polypyrrole-polystyrene clay nanocomposites using ATRP and chemical polymerisation methods

“…[6] Disadvantages of the first two methods are the co-intercalation of solvents in the case of solution reaction and slow polymer transport into the interlayer space. [7] Nanocomposite materials derived from polymers associated with layered inorganic solids is a line of investigation of increasing interest, not only for producing improved structural materials, but also for the preparation of new functional materials. A group of organic polymers having conjugated double bond on their backbone is known to be electroconductive.…”