Morphology and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) filled with mesoporous silica (MCM-41) prepared by melt compounding

Abstract

This paper reports on the morphologies of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/mesoporous silica (MCM-41) composites prepared by melt compounding with various MCM-41 contents in the range of 0.1–5 wt%, the interactions between the polymer and filler in these composites, and their thermomechanical, mechanical and thermal degradation properties. The composites formed transparent films at low filler loadings (<0.5 wt%) because of well-dispersed, unagglomerated particles. The presence of polymer did not alter the pore dimensions in the MCM-41 structure and it maintained its hexagonal structure, even though the polymer chains partially penetrated the pores during composite preparation. The PMMA interacted with the MCM-41 through hydrogen bonding. The glass transition temperature, as well as storage and loss modulus of PMMA increased with addition of, and increase in the amount of, MCM-41 due to the interaction of the polymer chains with the porous filler which restricted the mobility of the polymer chains and increased the stiffness of the composites. The thermal stability of PMMA apparently increased in the presence of MCM-41, although this observation probably was the result of delayed mass loss because of the trapping of volatile degradation products in the pores of MCM-41. The presence of MCM-41, up to 1.0 wt%, increased the impact strength of PMMA

Electrospun hyperbranched polylactic acid–modified cellulose nanocrystals/polylactic acid for shape memory membranes with high mechanical properties

“…At 285°C, the neat PLA nanofiber membranes started to degrade, until the temperature raised to 390°C, the neat PLA stopped decomposition. With the addition of 1, 3, 5, 7 wt% H‐PLA‐CNCs, the initial degradation temperature of composite nanofiber membranes had a bit of improvement (approximately 300°C), and the final degradation temperature reached at approximately 400°C, which may be caused by increase of molecular interaction, which led to the improvement of thermal stability of the membranes ; therefore, the thermal decomposition temperature of the membranes moved to a higher direction. Many physical and chemical crosslinking points were formed between H‐PLA‐CNCs and PLA matrix, and the crosslink density was improved.…”

Morphology, interfacial interaction, and thermal degradation of polycarbonate/MCM-41 (nano)composites

“…[26,27] It was also stated that a mobility decrease of the polymer chains, trapped in the pores, increased the storage modulus. [10,20,22,28] Contradictory results were reported, where the addition of nanoparticles in PC showed increases, [5,6,13] decreases, [29][30][31] or no significant effects [32] on the thermal stability of PC. Maiti et al [6] related an increase in the thermal stability of PC with the addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to the restriction of the mobility of the polymer chains near the nanofiller surface.…”

Synthesis of PCL‐branched P(MMA‐co‐HEMA) to toughen electrospun PLLA fiber membrane

“…Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) are the most practical members of the methacrylic acid ester polymers. Poly(methyl methacrylate) has been intensively applied in biomedicine and optoelectronics because of its excellent mechanical and biocompatible properties and good transparency to visible light . It is also used as a desirable polymer for producing nanofiller‐reinforced transparent nanocomposites .…”

“…Poly(methyl methacrylate) has been intensively applied in biomedicine and optoelectronics because of its excellent mechanical and biocompatible properties and good transparency to visible light. 28 It is also used as a desirable polymer for producing nanofiller-reinforced transparent nanocomposites. 29 On the other hand, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is the most widely used hydrogel because its water content is similar to living tissues, and it has high oxygen permeability as well as favorable mechanical properties.…”