Preparation and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites

Abstract

Cast poly (methyl methacrylate)/clay (PMMA/clay) nanocomposite sheets were prepared by in-situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) in the presence of well-dispersed clay. Organoclay was obtained by ionic exchange between the interlayer cations and three surfactant cations; Tallowtrimethylammonium chloride (TTM), Oleylmethylbis (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride (OMH) and Octadecylmethyl [ethoxylate (l5)] ammonium chloride (ODMH). PMMA/clay nanocomposite sheets were ultimately prepared by free radical polymerization of the MMA/organoclay mixture with addition of a suitable initiator in a glass mold, which was submerged in a warm water bath. The PMMA/clay nanocomposites was characterization by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) technique. The PMMA/clay nanocomposite sheets are clearly observation. The results suggested a full intercalation of PMMA between the clay galleries. The organoclay loading have the slightly effect on the surface hardness. The value of impact of PMMA/clay composite decrease when compare with the pure PMMA. The glass transition temperature of PMMA-ODMHBNH was found to be greater than that of the pure PMMA.