Mass-suspension polymerization process as an efficient tool to produce polymer/clay nanocomposites

Background: This work presents the preparation and characterization of the polymeric nanocomposites based on methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA), and natural and modified clays. The clays used to prepare the composite were natural green bentonite (GBC-N) and organophilic clays modified with ammonium quaternary salts: Praepagen (GCBP), Dodigen (GCB-D) and Praepagen/Dodigen mixture 1:1 in weight (GCB-P/D). Objective: The experimental studies focused on the evaluation of the effect of clays (in natura and chemically modified) on the final quality of the polymeric nanocomposites containing around 3 wt%. of clay nanocharges in association with MMA to produce poly(methyl methacrylate)/clays; and MMA/EA to form poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate)/clays. Materials and Methods: The poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate)/clay materials were synthesized through mass-suspension polymerization process. The natural and modified green bentonite clays were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyzes to understand its effect on the basal spacing, d001 (compared to the pure clay), as a result of cation exchange step, in which also improved the thermal efficiency of the final nanocomposites. Results: The proper incorporation of MMA and MMA/AE monomers between the layers of natural and modified clays occurred through in situ mass-suspension polymerization, leading to a successful exfoliation of clay layers during the growth of the polymer chains. Conclusion: The IR, SEM, TGA and DSC analyzes confirmed the improvement in the thermal property of the composites compared to polymers formed in the absence of clays. The experimental results are very promising, indicating that the experimental protocol based on the in situ formation of polymer nanocomposites by the using sequential mass-suspension polymerization consist of an interesting tool.

Investigations of polyamide nano-composites containing bentonite and organo-modified clays: Mechanical, thermal, structural and processing performances

Polyamide 6 (PA) matrix was reinforced with Na-activated bentonite, amino functional silane treated bentonite and organo-modified clays at different concentrations. The preparation of composites was carried out using melt-blending method and the test samples were prepared by injection-molding process. Mechanical, thermal, structural and processing investigations of PA based composites were reported performing via tensile, hardness, and impact tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and force measurements, respectively. According to mechanical test results, additions of fillers to PA matrix caused slight improvements for tensile strength and modulus parameters. Silane treated BNT exhibited improvement in mechanical results compared to Na-activated bentonite additions. Thermal studies revealed that decomposition and melting temperatures of PA shifted to higher values after inclusion of clay into polymer matrix. Results confirmed that organo-clay and bentonite additions with their lower filling ratios yielded enhancements for the mechanical and thermal performance of polyamide.