Synthesis of polystyrene-clay nanocomposites

A reactive cationic surfactant vinylbenzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (VDAC) was synthesized for intercalation of montmorillonite (MMT), a smectic type of clay. Organophilic MMT was prepared by ion exchange between Na+ ions in the clay and VDAC cations in aqueous medium. VDAC-intercalated MMT particles were easily dispersed and swollen in styrene monomer. Polystyrene-clay nanocomposites were prepared by free radical polymerization of styrene containing dispersed clay. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate that exfoliation of MMT was achieved. Palystyrene-clay nanocomposites have higher dynamic modulus than pure polystyrene (PS). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.