Nanocomposites by in situ polymerization based on styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer and clay

Nanocomposites based on styrene and maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA/Mag-CTA) are obtained through in situ polymerization method in the presence of Maghnite (Mag) a montmorillonite clay material as nano-reinforcing filler and benzoyl peroxide as a catalyst. The Mag-CTA is organophilic silicate clay prepared through a direct exchange process, using Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in which it used as green nano-filler. The prepared SMA/Mag-CTA nanocomposites have been extensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis confirms the results obtained by XRD and clearly show the nature of SMA/Mag-CTA nanocomposites. Mag-CTA layers are partially exfoliated for the lower amount of clay (3 wt%), intercalated for higher amounts of clay (5 and 7 wt%), and well dispersed in SMA copolymers. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis data indicated an enhancement of thermal stability of nanocomposites compared with the pure copolymer.

Automated summary

In this study, nanocomposites based on styrene and maleic anhydride copolymers were prepared via in situ polymerization method using Maghnite as a nano-reinforcing filler. The characterization of the nanocomposites revealed that Mag-CTA layers showed different states at different clay contents, and the nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal stability.