A new hybrid nanocomposite prepared by graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate onto chitosan in the presence of organophilic montmorillonite

Organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) was synthesized by cationic exchange between Na-MMT and tricetadecylmethyl ammonium bromide in an aqueous solution. A new nanocomposite consisting of poly(butyl acrylate)modified chitosan and OMMT was prepared by gamma-ray irradiation polymerization in acetic acid aqueous solution. The degree of dispersion and the intercalation spacing of these nanocomposites were investigated using X-ray diffraction. The enhanced thermal stabilities of nanocomposites were characterized by the thermal gravimetric analysis. The improved mechanical properties of nanocomposites were characterized by static tensile studies and dynamic mechanical analysis. The nanocomposites showed improved resistance to water absorption. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.