The influence of montmorillonite modification on the properties of composite material based on poly(methacrylic acid)

Abstract

In this work a new class of functional composites was prepared based on the organically modificated montmorillonite and methacrylic acid. In the first step, the native montmorillonite was mixed with poly(ethylenimine) monomer to promote the intercalation process. In the second step, the methacrylic acid and initiator (potassium persulfate) were added and polymerization was carried out at 80°C for 2 hours. Characterization of the obtained composite material was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The change in interlamellar spacing of montmorillonite after polymer composite preparation was determined by X-ray diffraction. In prepared composite samples the existence of two crystalline phases was estimated by X-ray measurements. In the first, the poly(methacrylic acid) chains are intercalated within the montmorillonite layers, and in the second, they are dispersed in the polymer matrix. The influence of montmorillonite on the thermal properties of the obtained composites was measured using the combined thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry method. The porosity of the prepared samples was determined by isotherm adsorption and the desorption of nitrogen (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method). It was assessed that a certain amount of polymer is deposited on the montmorillonite and thus covering of the micropores and partially covering of the mesopores was achieved.