Polyaniline-Organoclay Nanocomposites as Curing Agent for Epoxy: Preparation and Characterization

Polyaniline (PANI)-organoclay/Epoxy (EP) nanocomposites were prepared. PANI-organoclay nanocomposites were used as curing agent for EP. Organoclay was prepared by an ion exchange process between sodium cations in MMT and NH3+ groups in polyoxypropylene (13230). PANI-organoclay nanocomposite was synthesized by in situ polymerization of aniline in (14 wt%) organoclay. Infrared spectra and differential scanning calorimetry confirm the curing of ER The absence of d(001) diffraction band of organoclay in the nanocomposites was observed by X-ray diffraction. The structure argument was further supported by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites within the range 2.1 x 10(-7)-3.2 x 10(-7) S/cm depending on the-concentration of the PANI/D-230-MMT. POLYM. COMPOS., 30:467-473, 2009. (C) 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers