Application of mean-field model of polymer melt intercalation in organo-silicates for nanocomposites.

The mean-field, lattice-based model of polymer melt intercalation in organically-modified layered silicates (OLS) originally developed by Vaia and Giannelis was applied for different polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The nature of each polymer controls significantly the intercalation of the system. The internal energy change caused by the interaction of polymer, surfactant and clay is the strongest factor in determining the equilibrium structure of the nanocomposite system.

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization using a zwitterionic surfactant.

The synthesis of nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization was investigated using methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, 10 wt % montmorillonite (MMT) clay, and a zwitterionic surfactant octadecyl dimethyl betaine (C18DMB). The particle size of the diluted polymer emulsion was about 550 nm, as determined by light scattering, while the sample without clay had a diameter of about 350 nm. The increase in the droplet size suggests that clay was present in the emulsion droplets.