Synthesis and characterization of PMMA nanocomposites by suspension and emulsion polymerization

PMMA-layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared by in-situ suspension polymerization and emulsion polymerization. For the suspension polymerization, the silicate layers were dispersed individually in water, and we speculate that they are adsorbed on the surface of monomer droplets. For the emulsion polymerization, the nanocomposite was obtained by adding an aqueous dispersion of layered silicate into the polymer emulsion. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and atom force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the structures of the nanocomposites. Analysis of samples from emulsion and suspension polymerization was consistent with an exfoliated structure; after melt pressing, WAXD analysis indicated that both intercalated and exfoliated structures were observed. The exfoliated structure was preserved when organic modifiers that produced tethered polymer chains were used. Compared to a PMMA macrocomposite, the nanocomposites prepared by these methods display glass transition temperatures that are up to 15 degreesC higher and thermal degradation temperatures that are up to 60 degreesC higher.