Bio-based nanocomposites from corn oil and functionalized organoclay prepared by cationic polymerization

A reactive organic montmorillonite clay (VMMT), modified with (4-vinylbenzyl) triethylammonium cations, has been prepared and used as a nanofiller to reinforce a corn-oil-based polymer resin. The polymer resin was prepared by the cationic polymerization of conjugated corn oil, styrene and divinylbenzene, using boron trifluoride diethyl etherate modified with Norway fish oil as the initiator. The results indicate that the VMMT is intercalated in the corn-oil-based polymer resins. When compared with the pure polymers, these novel nanocomposites reinforced with 2 to 3 wt.-% VMMT exhibit significant improvements in modulus, strength, strain and toughness. Furthermore, incorporating VMMT into the corn-oil-based polymer matrix also leads to improved thermal stability of the nanocomposites over the pure resins of up to 400 degrees C.