On the swelling of polychloroprene‐MMT nanocomposite films

Abstract

AbstractFor the first time, the effects on the percentage of swelling of fifteen solvents on latex polychloroprene (CR) nanocomposite (NC) films, and typical physical properties were studied. These films were prepared with 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 phr of montmorillonite (MMT) dispersed in water. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results exhibit both exfoliated and intercalated layers in NC films. It was found that the Young's modulus and hardness increased with the MMT content. Calculations of the crosslink density were used to evaluate the effect of MMT concentration on the percentage of swelling. It was observed that in chloroform CR films showed the maximum swelling and it is therefore the best solvent to calculate the Flory–Huggins polymer–solvent interaction parameter as well as the crosslink density. To find the Flory‐Huggins polymer–solvent interaction parameter, it was preferred to use the Hoftyser and Van Krevelen polychloroprene solubility parameter of 19.2 (MPa)1/2 (calculated from the molar attraction constants) instead of using the swelling master curve which is not accurate. In all NC films, swelling by organic solvents was reduced by the addition of MMT. The increasing crosslink density with MMT suggests that dispersed clay emulates chemical bonds by hindering solvent migration throughout the polymer matrix and reducing solvent penetration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012