Synthesis of Poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate)/Clay Nanocomposite via <I>In</I> <I>Situ</I> and Surface Initiated-Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

This investigation reports a comparative study of the preparation and properties of tailor-made poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA)/clay nanocomposite prepared via in situ atom transfer radical polymerization and surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). Being a low Tg (−65 C) material, PEHA has very good film formation property for which it is used in paints, adhesives and coating applications. In situ PEHA/clay nanocomposite was prepared by polymerizing EHA in presence of nanoclay and acetone as additive at 90 C using methyl 2-bromopropionate (MBrP) as initiator, CuBr as catalyst in combination with N,N,N′,N′′,N′′-pentamethyl diethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as ligand. The functionalized nanoclay was used to prepare PEHA/clay nanocomposite in presence of acetone as additive at 90 C using CuBr as catalyst in combination with N,N,N′,N′′,N′′pentamethyl diethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as ligand. Kinetic plots were prepared for in situ ATRP as well as SI-ATRP. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analyses. Distribution of nanoclay in the polymer matrix was studied by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM).