In-situ preparation of novel nanocomposites of PMMA and ordered mesoporous carbon (FDU-15)

Ordered mesoporous carbons have recently been in significant attention because of their unique hexagonal structure, tunable large pore volumes, high thermal stability, and high surface-to-volume ratio. In this research paper, for achieving the maximum compatibility between the FDU-15 and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-550) was used as a modifying and coupling agent to facilitate the bond formations between the mesoporous carbon and PMMA with the help of ultrasonic irradiation. Nanocomposite (NC) films were produced via the in-situ polymerization method aligned with various amounts of modified FDU-15. Sample characterizations were done by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), low angle X-ray diffraction (LXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The LXRD pattern proved that the hexagonal mesoporous structure of FDU-15 was preserved in NCs, however, the intensities of reflexes and long range order were decreased. The PMMA-m-FDU 2 wt% showed the existence of some pores on its surface according to FE-SEM. The TEM images of the NC depicted well-ordered arrays of mesoporous carbon in the PMMA matrix perpendicular to the pore axis and confirmed the 2D structure of the mesopores. TGA data also confirmed that as the m-FDU-15 increases into the PMMA matrix, the higher thermal stability will achieve. Also, the T-d will increase to the higher temperatures. The PMMA-m-FDU 2 wt% showed the highest thermal resistant among the other studied NCs.

Automated summary

Ordered mesoporous carbons have gained significant attention due to their unique structure and properties. In this research, a modifying agent was used to enhance the compatibility between the mesoporous carbon and PMMA, resulting in the production of nanocomposite films. The samples were characterized using various techniques, confirming the thermal stability and mesoporous structure of the nanocomposites.