Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites: Exfoliation and Intercalation of Organophilic Montmorillonite Nanofillers in Styrene–Limonene Copolymer

Abstract

Nanocomposites from Styrene-Limonene copolymers and Algerian organophilic-clay named Maghnite-CTA + (Mag-CTA + ), were prepared by in-situ polymerization using different amounts (2, 5, and 10% by weight) of clay and Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a catalyst. The Mag-CTA + is an organophilic silicate clay prepared through a direct exchange process, using Cetyltrimethylammonuim bromide (CTAB) in which it used as green nano-filler. The preparation method of nanocomposites was studied in order to determine and improve structural, morphological and thermal properties of Sty-Lim copolymer. The structure and morphology of the obtained nanocomposites (Sty-Lim/Mag) were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The analyses confirmed the chemical modification of clay layers and the intercalation of Sty-Lim copolymer within the organophilic clay sheets. Exfoliated structure was obtained for the lower amount of clay (2 wt %), while intercalated structures were detected for higher amounts of clay (5 and 10 wt %). The thermal properties of the obtained nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and show a significant improvement in the thermal stability compared with the pure copolymer. The obtained nanocomposites show an optimal degradation temperature of 320°C.

An Investigative Study on the Structural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Clay-Based PVC Polymer Composite Films

“…Araujo et al confirmed the intercalation as well as the exfoliated structure of the clay-based polyamide 6 nanocomposite [29]. Hadj-Hamou and Yahiaoui synthesized antimicrobial poly ( -caprolactone) (PCL), poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and organo-clay nanobioblended films through the melt blending method, where the nanocomposite showed a mixed intercalated/partially exfoliated structure [39].…”

“…There was no significant characteristic diffraction peak of pure PVC polymer films, which was found due to the amorphous nature of the PVC polymer (Figure3D).Araujo et al confirmed the intercalation as well as the exfoliated structure of the clay-based polyamide 6 nanocomposite[29]. Hadj-Hamou and Yahiaoui synthesized antimicrobial poly ( -caprolactone) (PCL), poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and organo-clay nanobioblended films through the melt blending method, where the nanocomposite showed a mixed intercalated/partially exfoliated structure[39].Based on the above observation, it can be concluded that there was a strong interaction between the inorganic filler and PVC polymer.…”

Development of Anhydrous Drilling Fluids Based on Tagan Deposit’s Superhydrophobic Clay for Drilling Oil Wells at the Kumkol Field

“…In (Hodhaifa et al, 2021) the use of bentonite clays for drilling wells was studied because they have good hydrophilic and dispersing properties. Montmorillonite, which is the basis for bentonite powder, is one of the most active ingredients.…”

“…The uniqueness of our research lies in the fact that methods for superhydrophobizing montmorillonite from Tagan deposits have not previously been used. Results from our previous studies were presented in an article published in 2021 (Hodhaifa et al, 2021), where octadecylamine was used as the superhydrophobic agent, with a contact angle of 157 degrees.…”