Synergistic Effect Between Organically Modified Montmorillonite and Ammonium Polyphosphate on Thermal and Flame-Retardant Properties of Poly(Butyl Acrylate/Vinyl Acetate) Copolymer Latex

Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified montmorillonite (1631-MMT) was successfully synthesized via an ion exchange reaction and characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Various poly(butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate) P(BA-VAc) copolymer P(BA-VAc)/1631-MMT emulsions were prepared via in-situ polymerization method using potassium persulphate (K₂S₂O₈, KPS) as an initiator. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was introduced for obtaining P(BA-VAc)/APP/1631-MMT flame-retardant latex. The flame retardancy and thermal behavior of the latex films were investigated through limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning test (UL-94) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA [differential thermal analysis]) analysis. Compared with the P(BA-VAc)/APP composite, the LOI value of P(BA-VAc)/APP/1631-MMT sample was increased from 27.7 to 30.3 with a concentration of 1631-MMT 0.5 wt% in composition, and its UL-94 was raised to V-0 from no rating. TG date showed that the amount of residues increased significantly when 1631-MMT was added. The morphology and microstructure of the residues generated during LOI testing were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The outer surface of the P(BA-VAc)/APP/1631-MMT charred layer was more continuous and compact than that of P(BA-VAc)/APP.     

Synthesis of a Novel Flame Retardant and Its Synergistic Effect With a Phosphapheanthrene Flame Retardant in Polypropylene/Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate Blends

A novel flame retardant (NSiB) containing nitrogen, silicon and boron was synthesized through reacting of N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy-silane (KH-792) and boric acid. The structure of NSiB was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The effects of NSiB on the flame retardancy and thermal behaviors of polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends were investigated by limiting oxygen index value (LOI), vertical burning tests (UL-94) and thermal gravimetric analysis tests (TGA). The results showed that the flame retardancy and thermal stability of PP/EVA blends were improved with the addition of NSiB. When 7.5 wt% DOPO (phosphaphenanthrene) and 0.5 wt% NSiB were incorporated, the LOI value of the PP/EVA blends was 26.9%, and the class V-0 of UL-94 test was passed, as compared to the LOI value of 22.4% and class V-2 of UL-94 test for 8.0 wt% DOPO only and 16.7% and fail, respectively, for the PP/EVA blends alone. The char structure observed by SEM indicated that the surface of the char for the PP/EVA/7.5 wt% DOPO/0.5 wt% NSiB blends had a denser and continuous char structure when compared with that of the PP/EVA blends and PP/EVA/8.0 wt% DOPO blends. These results indicated that there was a good synergistic effect for NSiB and DOPO.     

Intumescent Flame Retardancy and Thermal Degradation of Epoxy Resin Filled with Ammonium Polyphosphate Using Thermogravimetric Analysis–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric Analysis–Mass Spectrometry

The flammability of epoxy resin (EP) and its composite with ammonium polyphosphate (EPAPP) was investigated with limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, and cone calorimeter tests. A systematic and comparative evaluation of the thermal degradation of EP and EPAPP has been investigated using thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) and thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (TG–MS). The results showed that the flame retardant of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) can constitute an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system with EP, and APP can effectively improve the LOI of EP; with 6 wt% addition level of APP, EPAPP can pass UL 94 V 0 test. The cone calorimeter test results showed that the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of EP were significantly improved by APP, and toxic gas products such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide obviously decreased. Thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and TG–MS results showed that the degradation process of EP produces large amounts of gas products and mainly containing of water, carbon dioxide, methane, benzene and its derivatives, as well as phenol and its derivatives. Compared to EP, the kinds of decomposition products of EPAPP sample were not changed significantly, except that more ammonia gas was generated. For the EPAPP sample, the products of water, benzene, and phenol increased, whereas the carbon dioxide and the flammable hydrocarbon fragments C_xH_y decreased significantly during the decomposition.     

Synthesis and Application of a Novel Charring Agent Poly(p-ethylene terephthalamide)

A novel charring agent poly(p-ethylene terephthalamide) (PETA) was synthesized by using terephthaloyl chloride and ethylenediamine through solution polycondensation at low temperature. Poly(p-ethylene terephthalamide) was used together with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to prepare a novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) for acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS). The thermal degradation behavior and flame retardancy were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, and the morphology and structures of residues generated in different conditions were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The results showed that PETA could be effective as a charring agent, the flame retardancy of ABS and the weight of residues improved greatly with the addition of IFR. When the content of APP was 25 wt% and PETA was 12.5 wt%, the LOI value of IFR–ABS system was found to be 33, and class V-0 of UL-94 test was passed. The microstructures observed by scanning electron microscope indicated that the charring agent (PETA) can promote formation of uniform and compact intumescent charred layers in IFR–ABS system after burning.     

Synergistic Effect of Phosphorus-Containing Montmorillonite with Intumescent Flame Retardant in Polypropylene

Phosphorus-containing montmorillonite (P-MMT) was successfully prepared via intercalating resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) into montmorillonite (MMT) layers, and was utilized as a synergistic agent in the polypropylene/melamine pyrophosphate/pentaerythritol (PP/MPP/PER) intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system. The synergistic effect of P-MMT and IFR was investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetry (TG), limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 test, cone calorimeter test (CCT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that P-MMT could significantly improve the thermostability and flame retardancy of the PP/IFR composite. When 2.0 wt% P-MMT replaced the same amount of IFR in the composite, both the onset decomposition temperature (T _onset) and the maximum-rate decomposition temperature (T _max) of the PP/IFR composite were increased by more than 14°C. Meanwhile, the LOI value was increased from 29.5% to 32.5%, the UL-94 rating was enhanced from V-1 to V-0, and the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), and mass lose rate (MLR) were decreased dramatically, which proved that P-MMT had a good synergistic effect with IFR in flame retardant PP.     

Mechanical and Flame Retardant Properties and Microstructure of Expandable Graphite/Silicone Rubber Composites

Flame-retardant expandable graphite (EG)/silicone rubber (SR) composites were prepared using nano-CaCO₃ particles as reinforcement filler. In addition to mechanical measurements, limited oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 and cone calorimeter tests (CCT), the thermal properties were tested by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the content and particle size of the EG both had large effects on the flammability and mechanical properties of the EG/SR blends. The composites that contained 25 phr EG (50–80 mu) had excellent LOI values, 47–48, and achieved the UL-94 V-0 level while the pure SR sample had the LOI value of 25 and achieved the UL-94 V-2 level. The data obtained from the CCT indicated that the addition of EG decreased remarkably the heat release rate, smoke emission, and mass loss rate of the composites. SEM microphotographs of the EG/SR composites before and after combustion demonstrated that EG underwent a large volume expansion, and the multiporous char structure blocked heat transfer and protected the substrate from fire.     

Effect of Phosphorus Compounds on Flame Retardancy and Thermal Degradation of Polycarbonate and Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene

Phosphorus flame retardants, bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl) phenyl phosphonate (BDMPP) and poly(bisphenol S phenyl phosphonate) (PBSPP), were synthesized and their structures were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ¹H and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance. The phosphorus compounds were used to impart flame retardancy to polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS). Combustion behaviors and thermal degradation properties of the systems were assayed by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), and thermogravimetric analysis. PC/7 wt.% BDMPP and PC/5 wt.% PBSPP pass UL-94 V-0 rating; their LOI values were 32.7% and 33.6% respectively. ABS/35 wt.% BDMPP and ABS/30 wt.% PBSPP also pass the UL-94 V-0 rating and their LOI values were 28.9% and 28.3% respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the char properties had direct effects on flame retardancy.     

Flame retardance and thermal stability of carbon nanotube epoxy composite prepared from sol-gel method

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are functionalized by vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) to incorporate the -O-C₂H₅ functional group and become VTES—CNT. The VTES—CNTs are added to the modified DGEBA epoxy resin that contains silicon to induce the sol-gel reaction. The final products are organic/inorganic nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) are used to study the thermal property of nanocomposites. The T_g was increased from 118 to 160 °C and char yield of composites that contained 9 wt% CNT at 750 °C was increased by 46.94%. The integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT) was increased from 890 to 1571 °C. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 tests were classified as the flame retardance. The LOI of composites was increased from 22 to 27 and the UL-94 changed from V-1 to V-0 when the contents were increased to 9 wt%. The nanocomposites had a higher char yield and were highly flame retardant. The products can meet to the requirements of halogen-free and phosphorus-free ecological flame retardant.     

The Flame Retardancy,Thermal Properties,and Degradation Mechanism of Zinc Alginate Films

The coordination structure, flame retardancy, thermal stabilities, and degradation mechanism of zinc alginate films were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL-94), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests. The FTIR results showed that the structure of zinc alginate was correlated to its bidentate bridging coordination. The LOI (49.3) and UL-94 (V-0 rating) results indicated that zinc alginate was an inherent flame retardant material. The TG results showed that zinc alginate had better thermal stabilities than sodium alginate in the lower temperature zones; however, the thermal stabilities of zinc alginate were worse than those of sodium alginate at higher temperatures because of the decomposition of zinc oxalate formed in the degradation process of zinc alginate. Based on the TG results and FTIR of the residues at different temperatures, the effect of zinc ions on the degradation process of alginate was different from that of sodium ions. The zinc ions can catalyze alginate to form the residues and increase the amount of the residues, finally forming zinc oxide. Further, it could decrease the release of flammable gases and increase the flame retardancy of alginate.     

Synergistic Effect of Organic Vermiculite on the Flame Retardancy and Thermal Stability of Intumescent Polypropylene Composites

Organic vermiculite (OVMT) prepared from vermiculite (VMT), with high aspect ratio and orderly arranged platelets intercalated by octadecyl trimethyl ammonum bromide (OTAB), was used as a synergistic agent on the flame retardancy of a polypropylene/intumescent flame retardant (PP/IFR) system. The flammability and thermal stability of PP/IFR/OVMT composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 testing, cone calorimetry tests, and thermogravometric analysis. The results of LOI and UL-94 testing showed that low loading of OVMT improved the flame retardancy and retarded dripping for PP/IFR composites. OVMT, with 1% loading, increased the char residue of PP/IFR composites and could act as an effective additive for improvement in flame retardancy, which was confirmed by the cone data. The char layer morphological structures observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that OVMT with 1% loading can promote formation of a continuous and compact intumescent char layer. Raman spectroscopy results indicated that the OVMT or its pyrolytic products led to a decrease in size of the carbonaceous micro-domain during combustion, resulting in formation of more compact charred layers. Thus, OVMT with 1% loading showed a synergistic effect with IFR in the combustion of the PP/IFR composites.     

Effect of Polyborosiloxane on the Flame Retardancy and Thermal Degradation of Intumescent Flame Retardant Polypropylene

A novel synergistic flame retardant agent containing boron and silicon, namely polyborosiloxane (PBSil), was prepared via the condensation reaction of boric acid (BA), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS). The obtained PBSil was then combined with an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) to flame retard polypropylene (PP), and the effects of PBSil on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation of the PP/IFR composite were investigated. It was found that PBSil could improve the compatibility between the IFR and the PP matrix, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the composite. Compared with zinc borate, zeolite, and nano-silica, PBSil showed much better flame retardancy and smoke suppression in the PP/IFR composite. When the content of PBSil was 3.0 wt%, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the flame retardant PP was increased from 29.0% to 35.0%, and the UL-94 rating was improved from V-1 to V-0 rating. Simultaneously, the heat release rate (HRR) and smoke production rate (SPR) of the composite were decreased dramatically. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TG-FTIR) results showed that, PBSil could enhance the thermostability of the IFR, and promote the char formation. Furthermore, the compactness and thermostability of the intumescent char were significantly improved, contributing to the improvement of the flame retardancy of the composite.     

Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Ethylene-vinyl Acetate Rubber with Expandable Graphite/Ammonium Polyphosphate/Dipentaerythritol System

Ethylene-vinyl acetate thermoset rubber (EVM) with high vinyl acetate content has been widely used in wires and cables for many years. However, the problem of melting drip and efficient flame retardance has not been effectively solved. The combination of expandable graphite (EG), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and dipentaerythritol (DPER) as a flame retardant system for EVM rubber has been proven to be effective in preventing melting drip and improving flame retardance in this study. This is shown by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical flammability (UL-94) tests. The thermal behavior of EVM treated with this instumescent-flame retardant (IFR) system was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments. The results indicated that the char residue of treated samples could reach up to 27.1% at 600°C, which is much higher than that of the untreated EVM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of residue of treated and untreated EVM showed that the IFR system could promote formation of residual char which imparts the antidripping property to EVM. However, the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB), decreased gradually with the increase of EG content. Compared to the EVM/APP/DPER system without EG, the TS decreased from 6.55 MPa to 6.13 MPa, while the EB decreased slightly from 570% to 558% when the EG content was 15 wt%.     

Crystallization,Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Poly(Butylene Terephthalate)/Brominated Epoxy/Nano-Sb2O3 Composites Dispersed By High Energy Ball Milling

Nano-Sb2O3 particles and brominated epoxy resin (BEO) powders were dispersed in poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) by high energy ball milling (HEBM). Then the nanocomposites were prepared by a twin screw extruder. The influence of the nano-Sb2O3 particles on the crystallization, thermal stability, flame retardancy and mechanical properties of the PBT/BEO/nano-Sb2O3 composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the nano-Sb2O3 particles improved the crystallizability, thermal stability and flame retardancy properties of the PBT/BEO/nano-Sb2O3 composites. When the content of nano-Sb2O3 particles was 2.0?wt%, the LOI of nano-Sb2O3/BEO/PBT composites increased from 22.0 to 27.8 and the tensile strength reached its maximum value (62.44?MPa), which indicated that the optimum value of flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PBT/BEO/nano-Sb2O3 composites were obtained.     

Organic Nano-Montmorillonite for Simultaneously Improving the Flame Retardancy,Thermal Stability,and Mechanical Properties of Intumescent Flame-Retardant Silicone Rubber Composites

The flammability of room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTVSR) composites filled with melamine phosphate (MP) as intumescent flame-retardant additives was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 test, and cone calorimeter. In addition, the thermal degradation of the composites was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, in order to relate to actual application requirements, the comprehensive performance of the RTVSR/MP composites was optimized by adding organic nano-montmorillonite (OMMT) as a partial substitute for the MP. The as-prepared intumescent flame-retardant RTVSR/MP/OMMT nanocomposites were characterized by LOI, UL-94 test, TGA, cone calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical tests. The residue morphology formed after the burning of the nanocomposites was analyzed by its SEM and digital photographs. The results showed that the flame-retardant nanocomposites filled with 10 phr OMMT and 35 phr MP displayed the best comprehensive performance in terms of the flame retardancy, mechanical properties, and heat stability at low cost. It is expected that the intumescent flame-retardant silicone rubber composites with simultaneously improved flame retardancy, thermal stability, and mechanical properties will meet more requirements of the increasingly complex applications.     

Synergistic Effect of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on the Flame Retardancy and the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Resin

A novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane containing phosphorus and boron (PB-POSS) was synthesized. The resulting PB-POSS and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated into an epoxy resin (EP) to prepare PB-POSS/MWCNTs/EP composites through a solution mixing method. The synergistic effect of MWCNTs and PB-POSS on the thermal and mechanical properties and the flame retardancy of these flame retardant composites were studied. The experimental results showed that the introduction of PB-POSS or MWCNTs further improved the LOI values of the epoxy resin, and the highest LOI value (32.8%) was obtained for the formulation containing 14.6 wt% PB-POSS and 0.4 wt% MWCNTs. In addition, the incorporation of both PB-POSS and MWCNTs significantly improved the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites. The mechanical properties of composites containing 14.7 wt% PB-POSS and 0.3 wt% MWCNTs reached the maximum. The impact strength and flexural strength increased by 42% and 7%, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy resin. Thus, a combination of PB-POSS and MWCNTs in the appropriate ratio could effectively enhance the thermal and mechanical properties and the flame retardancy of the epoxy resin matrix.     

Dielectric,thermal, and electrochemical properties of PVC/PEMA blended polymer electrolytes complexed with zinc triflate salt

A new solid polymer electrolyte system based on poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly (ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) containing zinc triflate [Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂] salt obtained in the form of thin film specimens using solution casting technique has been examined by means of complex impedance analysis, thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements. The relevant mechanism of zinc ion transport involved in the case of the present polymer blend electrolyte viz., [PVC (30 wt%)/PEMA (70 wt%)] : x wt% [Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂] (where x = 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35, respectively) has been evaluated in terms of AC impedance method, dielectric and electrical modulus formalisms. The optimized composition of the chosen blended polymer electrolyte system having 30 wt% loading of zinc triflate salt exhibited a single glass transition temperature (T _g) and possessed appreciable levels of thermal and electrochemical stability for possible utilization in zinc batteries.     

Reactive Compatibilization of Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/Polypropylene Blends by Polypropylene‐graft‐Maleic Anhydride. Part 2. Crystallization Behavior

The crystallization behavior of uncompatibilized and reactive compatibilized poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene (PTT/PP) blends was investigated. In both blends, PTT and PP crystallization rates were accelerated by the presence of each other, especially at low concentrations. When PP content in the uncompatibilized blends was increased to 50–60 wt%, PTT showed fractionated crystallization; a small PTT crystallization exotherm appeared at ～135°C besides the normal ～175°C exotherm. Above 70 wt% PP, PTT crystallization exotherms disappeared. In contrast, PP in the blends showed crystallization exotherms at 113–121°C for all compositions. When a maleic anhydride‐grafted PP (PP‐g‐MAH) was added as a reactive compatibilizer, the crystallization temperatures (T _c ) of PTT and PP shifted significantly to lower temperatures. The shift of PTT's T _c was larger than that of the PP, suggesting that addition of the PP‐g‐MAH had a larger effect on PTT's crystallization than on PP due to reaction between maleic anhydride and PTT.

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed by a modified Avrami equation. The results confirmed that PTT's and PP's crystallization was accelerated by the presence of each other and the effect varied with blend compositions. When the PP content increased from 0 to 60 wt%, PTT's Avrami exponent n decreased from 4.35 to 3.01; nucleation changed from a thermal to an athermal mode with three‐dimensional growths. In contrast, when the PTT content increased from 0 to 90 wt% in the blends, changes in PP's n values indicated that nucleation changed from a thermal (0–50 wt% PTT) to athermal (60–70 wt% PTT) mode, and then back to a thermal (80–90 wt% PTT) mode. When PP‐g‐MAH was added as a compatibilizer, the crystallization process shifted considerably to lower temperatures and it took a longer crystallization time to reach a given crystallinity compared to the uncompatibilized blends.     

Preparation and characterization of zirconium sulfophenyl phosphate-doped sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone) composite proton exchange membrane

Polymer composite membranes based on sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone) (SPPES) and zirconium sulfophenyl phosphate (ZrSPP) were prepared. Three ZrSPP concentrations were used: 10, 20, and 30 wt%. The membranes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The IR results indicated the formation of intense hydrogen bonds between ZrSPP and SPPES molecules. The SEM micrographs showed that ZrSPP well dispersed with SPPES and form a lattice structure. The proton conductivity of the SPPES (degree of sulfonation (DS) 64 %)/ZrSPP (10 wt%) composite membrane reached 0.39 S/cm at 120 °C 100 % relative humidity and that of the 30 wt% of SPPES (DS 16.1 %)/ZrSPP composite membrane reached 0.18 S/cm at 150 °C. The methanol permeabilities of the SPPES/ZrSPP composite membranes were in the range of 2.1?×?10^?8 to 0.13?×?10^?8?cm²/s, much lower than that of Nafion®117 (10^?6?cm²/s). The composite membranes exhibited good thermal stabilities, proton conductivities, and good methanol resistance properties.     

The Effect of Structure of the Clay Modifier on the Morphology and Properties of Polystyrene/Clay Nanocomposites Prepared via In Situ Suspension Polymerization

Polystyrene (PS)/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared via free radical suspension polymerization. Two kinds of organoclay were used, labeled KT and KD, modified by trimethyloctadecyl ammonium (TM) and dimethyldioctadecyl ammonium (DM) ions, respectively. Nanocomposites containing various amounts of both of the organoclay nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were prepared. The wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) results revealed intercalation in both of the nanocomposites. The greatest improvement in thermal stability of the nanocomposites was achieved with 5 wt% of organo-MMT for both of the clays. The nanocomposite containing 3 wt% of KT organo-MMT showed the greatest improvement of storage modulus. When the organoclay content exceeded 3 wt%, the storage moduli decreased compared to the nanocomposite filled with 3 wt% of the organoclay. D-spacing calculations using Bragg's law and WAXD data showed that the KT and KD nanoparticles were intercalated within the PS matrix, but with different extents of intercalation. The styrene conversions of the as-polymerized nanocomposite samples were obtained by a gravimetric method. The results showed that conversion decreased with incorporation of organoclay in the reaction recipe. Particle size was also increased by increasing nanoclay content.     

Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/ Organo-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Prepared by Solution Intercalation

Poly(lactic acid)/organo-montmorillonite (PLA/OMMT) nanocomposite films were prepared through solution intercalation using dichloromethane as solvent. X-ray diffraction indicated that organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) was well intercalated and the interlayer spacing d increased by 0.94–1.47 nm. Transmission Electron Microscopy showed that a majority of OMMT was fully exfoliated and uniformly dispersed in the PLA matrix at low filler loading, whereas more intercalated tactoids and aggregates of OMMT existed at high loading. The crystallinity of PLA was hardly changed with the addition of OMMT. Additionally, CO₂ permeability and water vapor transmission rate of the composite films were reduced with increasing content of OMMT. At 5 wt% OMMT loading, CO₂ permeability and water vapor transmission rate were reduced by 75.8% and 23.9%, respectively. The tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus of the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites were first enhanced, and then decreased with increasing content of OMMT. Compared with pure PLA, a 83.8% increase in the Young's modulus and a 76.0% improvement in TS were obtained with the addition of 3 wt% OMMT.