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Published on: July 19, 2016
Study of interlayer spacing collapse during polymer/clay nanocomposite melt intercalation
Samira Benali1, Sophie Peeterbroeck, Jeŕôme Larrieu
1Center of Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers CIRMAP, Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials, University of Mons-Hainaut, Académie Universitaire Wallonie-Bruxelles, Place du Parc 20, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|June 25, 2008
Summary
The chemical structure of organo-modified montmorillonite clays influences nanocomposite formation. Thermal treatment can cause clay interlayer collapse, affecting material properties, especially with unsaturated hydrocarbon surfactants.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Organo-modified montmorillonite clays are used to form polymer nanocomposites.
- The thermal stability and structure of these organoclays are critical for successful nanocomposite fabrication.
- Melt blending is a common technique for creating polymer nanocomposites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of alkylammonium organoclay chemical structure on nanocomposite formation via melt blending.
- To determine the effect of processing temperature and organoclay thermal treatment on nanocomposite structure.
- To understand the origin of clay interlayer collapse during nanocomposite processing.
Main Methods:
- Melt intercalation of chlorinated polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with Cloisite 30B.
- Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) to analyze interlayer spacing and structure.
- Tensile testing to evaluate mechanical properties.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to study organoclay structure and thermal behavior.
Main Results:
- Melt intercalation at 175°C with chlorinated polyethylene caused organoclay structure collapse.
- Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer nanocomposites showed exfoliation at 140°C with as-received organoclay.
- Thermal treatment (180°C for 2 hours) of organoclay induced structure collapse in ethylene-vinyl acetate nanocomposites.
- Clay interlayer collapse was correlated with the presence of unsaturated hydrocarbons in the organic surfactant.
Conclusions:
- The chemical structure of the organo-surfactant, particularly unsaturation, significantly impacts organoclay behavior during melt processing.
- Thermal treatment of organoclays can lead to undesirable interlayer collapse, hindering nanocomposite formation.
- Processing temperature plays a crucial role in achieving desired exfoliation or intercalation in polymer nanocomposites.
