Characterization of organomontmorillonite (organo-MMT) and study of its effects upon the formation of poly(methyl methacrylate)/organo-MMT nanocomposites prepared by in situ solution polymerisation

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by in situ solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) in the presence of the organic modified MMT-clay (OMMT). The results showed that, the basal space of the silicate layer increased, as determined by XRD, from 13.81 to 20.48 A. The results of XRD and TEM indicated that the modified clays were dispersed in PMMA to form both exfoliated and intercalated PMMA/MMT nanocomposites. The effect of organic modifiers on the properties of the synthesized nanocomposites was studied. PMMA/OMMT with 5 wt % of organo-MMT gave the greatest improvement in thermal stability. The rheological properties of the PMMA/OMMT composites were investigated using ARES Rheometer operated in the dynamic mode with parallel plate geometry. The storage and loss moduli were increased with increasing the clay content. The stress-at-break was also relatively improved compared to the virgin PMMA in the same experimental conditions.