Poly(methyl methacrylate)/SiO₂ nanocomposites: Effects of the molecular interaction strength on thermal properties

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposites membranes were prepared by simple solution mixing method using three different solvents (acetone, acetonitrile and chloroform). The structure and thermal properties of these nanocomposites were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The infrared spectra confirm that the strongest H-bond interaction between the PMMA and silica was found when using chloroform solvent. In the case of thermal properties, the DSC and TGA analyses show significant improvement in thermal stability and glass transition temperature (Tg). Furthermore, the ESEM micrographs prove the structure stability of these synthesized nanocomposites. The results demonstrate that the solvent that lead to form the strongest H-bond interaction between the PMMA carbonyl groups and silica silanol groups (as chloroform solvent) will be more efficient in the synthesis of PMMA/SiO2 nanocomposites.

Long-Term Prevention of Arthroplasty Infections via Incorporation of Activated AgNbO3 Nanoparticles in PMMA Bone Cement

“…These hydroxylated areas over the crystallite surface can interact with the carbonyl groups of the PMMA, forming hydrogen. An analogy could be made with the work of Boulerba and Zoukel involving the synthesizing of nanocomposite films of PMMA/SiO 2 by solution mixing method . They found that the solvents with the weakest interactions between PMMA and SiO 2 allowed the presence of strong bond interactions between carbonyl groups within PMMA and the hydroxylated surfaces of SiO 2 particles, yielding samples with highly homogeneous structures.…”

“…An analogy could be made with the work of Boulerba and Zoukel involving the synthesizing of nanocomposite films of PMMA/ SiO 2 by solution mixing method. 41 They found that the solvents with the weakest interactions between PMMA and SiO 2 allowed the presence of strong bond interactions between carbonyl groups within PMMA and the hydroxylated surfaces of SiO 2 particles, yielding samples with highly homogeneous structures. It should be noted that the degree of adhesion between the particles and PMMA is not sufficient for the PMMA fibers to completely shield the particles from the exterior during polymerization, but enough to spontaneously disperse the polymers within the matrix and to hold them in place.…”

Dispersion and Homogeneity of MgO and Ag Nanoparticles Mixed with Polymethylmethacrylate

“…In the present research, the two common methods of mixing of NPs with PMMA powder were used: non-ethanol-assisted mixing and stirring [ 34 ] and ethanol-assisted mixing with aid of absolute ethanol solvent [ 22 ]. Although several studies have investigated the impact of adding NPs to PMMA on the mechanical properties of the PMMA-NP nanocomposite, no studies have tested the dispersion and homogeneity of NPs within PMMA.…”

“…This was followed by magnetic stirring at 400 rpm for 2 h at 50 °C until the ethanol had evaporated, and the mixed powder was then ground with a mortar and pestle. Afterwards, to ensure the evaporation of the solvent, the powder was placed in the oven at 50 °C for 4 h [ 22 ].…”

“…On the other hand, some studies have applied techniques for mixing NPs with PMMA. For example, NPs have been mixed with the PMMA powder by non-ethanol-assisted [ 21 ] or ethanol-assisted [ 22 ] as a solvent. However, none of these studies investigated the dispersion and homogeneity of NPs mixed with PMMA.…”