An emphasis on dynamic mechanical properties of novel stilbene containing copolymer/organo‐MMTnanocomposites fabricated via in situ interlamellar copolymerization

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of the present study is to synthesis and characterize the novel functional stilbene containing copolymer‐clay nanocomposites, make clear the influence of organo‐clay on peculiarities of the nanocomposites and emphasis on the dynamic mechanical properties. For this purpose, poly(acrylamide‐co‐trans‐stilbene)‐organo‐MMT [poly(AAm‐co‐Stb)‐O‐MMT] nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ interlamellar solution copolymerization with organically modified montmorillonite (O‐MMT) clay due to its superior properties gives to copolymer. The effect of different amounts of O‐MMT clay incorporation to the nanocomposite structure and properties of copolymer/O‐MMT clay nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance‐Fourier Transform Infrared, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Dynamic mechanic analysis (DMA) methods. XRD analysis showed the basal spacing of the O‐MMT increased in nanocomposites and this indicated that the intercalation of the copolymer chain into the O‐MMT interlayer performed and nanocomposites were obtained successfully. Additionally, copolymer/O‐MMT nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal properties at higher temperatures than the pristine copolymer. DMA results enlightened the viscoelastic properties of synthesized materials. DMA results indicated that obtained nanocomposites have higher mechanical strength because of the interaction/compatibility in between copolymer chains and O‐MMT. In the light of these results, this work has introduced new perspectives on design, fabrication and viscoelastic properties of certain organo‐clay copolymer nanocomposites for the synthesis of new materials and potential industrial applications.