Bentonite filler effect on structure and properties of polystyrene-based composites

Abstract

The current research focuses on the preparation and characterization of polystyrene/bentonite composite materials with improved physicochemical properties and biological activity. Bentonite particles were immobilized into the polystyrene matrix by mechanical dispersion, and composite films were obtained. New data on the structure and properties of polystyrene/bentonite composites were discovered using SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, IR and UV spectrometry, tensile and microbiological testing. The effect of the filling agent on morphology and crystal structure composites was revealed. Insertion of bentonite into polystyrene resulted in an increase in interplanar layer distance in clay. It was found that the adsorption kinetics of methylene blue by pure polymer and the polystyrene/bentonite composite films was controlled by the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation. Isotherms were in good agreement with Langmuir model. For a composite with 5 wt% filler content, the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was ten times greater than in the unmodified polymer. It was concluded that the modification of polystyrene with bentonite resulted in development of new adsorption-active centers. The strengthening testing results showed that insertion of bentonite (5 wt%) into the polystyrene matrix resulted in improved tensile strength. In addition, the polystyrene/bentonite composite films showed an antifungal effect against Candida albicans.