Preparation of organoclay, its copolymerization with MMA, and use to produce PVC nanocomposites

Abstract

Two quaternary ammonium compounds with polymerizable vinyl group were designed and synthesized for use as clay modifiers. Copolymerization of quaternary ammonium compounds modified MMT platelets with methyl methacrylate was studied under a range of different reaction conditions and two kinds of polymeric surfactant-modified MMTs were prepared. These polymeric surfactant-modified MMTs were introduced to produce a series of PVC/MMT composites by melt compounding. XRD, TEM, and TGA confirmed that the better organic coverage of the platelets and the bigger interlayer spacing could be obtained for the copolymer of long-chain quaternary ammonium compounds modified MMT and methyl methacrylate (PMMA-H-MMT). The platelet fillers with better organic coverage represented much more useful functional fillers than the conventional ammonium-treated fillers due to their potential to exfoliate to a greater extent when melt-compounded with the PVC matrices. The experiment proved that PMMA-H-MMT shows better performance in increasing thermal stability of PVC/MMT composites.

Clay-reinforced PVC composites and nanocomposites

“…Furthermore, the side reactions associated with conventional free radical polymerization are reduced, and narrow molecular weight distribution is obtained. Clay/PVC nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization are reported [ 118 , 119 ].…”

The effect of particle size distribution on the dispersion of nanoclays in poly(ethylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites

“…Tarawneh et al 6 have used ultrasonic treatment to improve the dispersion and properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR)/ clay nanocomposites. Both in situ polymerization and melt compounding have been developed by Huang et al 7 to improve the dispersion and properties of PVC nanocomposites. A proper dispersion of nanoclays into the different polymer matrices has always been a challenge for researchers.…”

“…Both in situ polymerization and melt compounding have been developed by Huang et al. 7 to improve the dispersion and properties of PVC nanocomposites. A proper dispersion of nanoclays into the different polymer matrices has always been a challenge for researchers.…”

The effect of layered double hydroxides dispersion on thermal and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

“…Nonetheless, there is a limited number of works dealing with nanocomposites of PVC‐based blends and almost all focused on nanoparticles (such as calcium carbonate and silica), nanotubes (such as grafted imogolite and grafted halloysite) and layered silicates. For the latter inorganic substrate, however, degradation owing to the organic surfactant (alkylammonium chloride) was evidenced, even if the presence of PMMA delayed the beginning of the discoloration typical of PVC materials. A similar approach was used by blending PVC and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer; intercalated nanocomposites with improved impact strength were obtained again by adding an organo‐montmorillonite.…”