Synthesis of exfoliated polyacrylonitrile/Na-MMT nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization

Polyacrylonitrile/Na-MMT nanocomposites were synthesized through an emulsion polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) using 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS). The silicate (Na--MMT) layers were exfoliated during polymerization. The nanocomposites were exfoliated. up to 20 wt % content of pristine Na-MMT relative to the amount of AN and exhibited the enhanced storage modulus, E', when compared with pure PAN. Delaminated morphology of the nanocomposite was confirmed by TEM.