Thermomechanical properties and crystallization behavior of layered double hydroxide/poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites prepared by in‐situ polymerization

Thermomechanical properties and crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites containing layered double hydroxide (LDH) were investigated. To enhance the compatibility between PET matrix and LDH, dimethyl 5‐sulfoisophthalate (DMSI) anion intercalated LDH (LDH‐DMSI) was synthesized by coprecipitation method, and its structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Then, PET nanocomposites with LDH‐DMSI content of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% were prepared by in‐situ polymerization. The dispersion morphologies were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and XRD, showing that LDH‐DMSI was exfoliated in PET matrix. Thermal and mechanical properties, such as thermal stability, tensile modulus, and tensile yield strength of nanocomposites, were enhanced by exfoliated LDH‐DMSI nanolayers. However, elongation at break was drastically decreased with LDH loading owing to the increased stiffness and microvoids. The effect of exfoliated nanolayers, which acted as a nucleating agent confirmed by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), on the microstructural parameters during isothermal crystallization, was analyzed by synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). It is believed that nanocomposites could be crystallized more easily owing to the increased nucleation sites, which lead to the decrease of average amorphous region size and the long period with the increase of LDH‐DMSI content. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 28–40, 2007     

The Role of Organomodified Different LDHs on Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Nanocomposites

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organomodified‐layered double hydroxide (PET /organo‐LDH ) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a melt‐extrusion method. In an attempt to improve the compatibility with PET , LiAl , MgAl , and ZnAl LDH surfaces were modified with sulfanilic acid (SAS ) via electrostatic interaction with LDH cationic layers. In PET nanocomposites containing SAS ‐modified LDH , the (00l ) X‐ray diffraction (XRD ) peaks originating from organo‐LDH were not observed, indicating that the organomodified LDH layers were fully exfoliated and homogeneously dispersed within the PET matrix, which was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. However, PET nanocomposites containing SAS ‐modified LiAl , MgAl , and ZnAl LDH showed broad (00l ) XRD peaks, indicating that the organo‐LDH was partially exfoliated. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the thermal stability of PET/SAS‐modified LDH was significantly improved, depending on the type and loading content of SAS‐modified LDH compared to that of pristine PET . PET nanocomposites containing well‐dispersed SAS‐modified LDH showed substantial enhancement of the storage modulus.     

Synthesis,rheology, and morphology of nylon‐11/layered silicate nanocomposite

Exfoliated nylon‐11/layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization by dispersing organoclay in 11‐aminoundecanoic acid monomer. The original clay was modified by a novel method with 11‐aminoundecanoic acid. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show that stronger hydrogen bonds exist between nylon‐11 and organoclay than that of between nylon‐11 and original clay. The linear dynamic viscoelasticity of organoclay nanocomposites was investigated. Before taking rheological measurements, the exfoliated and intercalating structures and the thermal properties were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that the clay was uniformly distributed in nylon‐11 matrix during in situ polymerization of clay with 4 wt % or less. The presence of clay in nylon‐11 matrix increased the crystallization temperature and the thermal stability of nanocomposites prepared. Rheological properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus, and relative viscosity have close relationship with the dispersion favorably compatible with the organically modified clay. Comparing with neat nylon‐11, the nanocomposites show much higher dynamic modulus and stronger shear thinning behavior. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2161–2172, 2006     

Isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanocomposites were prepared by mixing PHB and poly(ethylene glycol) phosphonates (PEOPAs)‐modified LDH (PMLDH) in chloroform solution. Both X‐ray diffraction data and TEM micrographs of PHB/PMLDH nanocomposites indicate that the PMLDHs are randomly dispersed and exfoliated into the PHB matrix. In this study, the effect of PMLDH on the isothermal crystallization behavior of PHB was investigated using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy. Isothermal crystallization results of PHB/PMLDH nanocomposites show that the addition of 2 wt % PMLDH into PHB induced more heterogeneous nucleation in the crystallization significantly increasing the crystallization rate and reducing their activation energy. By adding more PMLDH into the PHB probably causes more steric hindrance of the diffusion of PHB, reducing the transportation ability of polymer chains during crystallization, thus increasing the activation energy. The correlation among crystallization kinetics, melting behavior and crystalline structure of PHB/PMLDH nanocomposites can also be discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3337–3347, 2006     

Understanding and controlling the structure of polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites

The miscibility and structure in polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites is systematically investigated utilizing a maleic-anhydride grafted polypropylene with a low degree of functionalization acting as the compatibilizer. The morphology of the hybrids can be modified from phase separated to almost completely exfoliated in a controlled way by varying the ratio α of the compatibilizer to the organophilized clay; this ratio α is found to be the most important parameter in determining the final structure whereas exfoliated structures can be obtained for α values of 9 or higher. Furthermore, utilization of a “masterbatch” procedure can enhance the degree of exfoliation even for smaller values of α; in that case, polypropylene is essentially mixed with the already dispersed “hairy” platelets. Investigation of the thermal stability of the micro- and nanocomposites shows that high degree of exfoliation is vital in increasing the temperature that the polymer starts to degrade. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2683–2695, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of exfoliated polystyrene/ZnAl layered double hydroxide nanocomposite via emulsion polymerization

Exfoliated polystyrene (PS)/ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites have been synthesized via emulsion polymerization in the presence of N-lauroyl-glutamate surfactants and long-chain n-hexadecane. The samples were characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The XRD and TEM results demonstrate that the exfoliated ZnAl-LDH layers of 50-70 nm width and about 1 nm thickness were well dispersed at molecular level in the PS matrix. And the completely exfoliated PS/LDH nanocomposites can be obtained even at the 10 wt% LDH loading. When the 50% weight loss was selected as a comparison point, the decomposition temperature of exfoliated PS/LDH sample with 5 wt% LDH was ca. 28 degrees C higher than that of pure PS.     

Layered nanoparticles modified by chain end functional PE and their nanocomposites with PE

Layered materials (MMT,LDH) were successfully modified by chain end functionalized polyethylene via an ion exchange method.The samples were characterized by using elemental analysis,Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum,X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).The XRD results demonstrated that MMT was successfully exfoliated with the disappearance of [001] peak.For the LDH,the peak [003] moved to a low angle and greatly weakened,indicating that LDH was successfully functionalized and completely intercalated or exfoliated.HDPE/layered nanocomposites were obtained between HDPE and different content of functional layered materials.The SEM and TEM results of nanocomposites showed the layered materials were well dispersed in the HDPE matrix,with a particle size of 100-200 nm.     

Gamma irradiation of high density poly(ethylene)/ethylene‐vinyl acetate/clay nanocomposites: possible mechanism of the influence of clay on irradiated nanocomposites

A further study on mechanical properties and morphology evolution of high density poly (ethylene)/ethylene‐vinyl acetate/and organically‐modified montmorillonite (HDPE/EVA/OMT) nanocomposites exposed to gamma‐rays (0–200 kGy) has been achieved. The results showed that nanocomposites have superior irradiation‐resistant properties to HDPE/EVA blend in mechanical properties. A transmission electron microscope study verified that a face‐face ordered nanostructure had been induced by gamma‐rays. The aim of this paper is to provide a possible mechanism on how the OMT influences the general properties of irradiated nanocomposites, based on the results of thermal, flammability and mechanical behavior. Three facts are postulated to be responsible for the mechanism. The first is the segregation of nano‐dispersed clay layers not only reduces polymer oxidation but prevents crosslinking reactions. The second is the nanostructure evolution induced by gamma‐rays, which may impart nanocomposites improved elasticity. The last is due to the Hofmann degradation, whose degraded products have opposite roles, accelerating polymer oxidation or promoting crosslinking reactions. These facts interact as well as compete with others. The properties of the nanocomposites strongly depended on the prevalent effects developing with increasing irradiation doses. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of clay‐modifying agents on the morphology and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites synthesized via γ‐ray irradiation polymerization

Via γ‐ray irradiation polymerization, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/clay nanocomposites were successfully prepared with reactive modified clay and nonreactive clay. With reactive modified clay, exfoliated PMMA/clay nanocomposites were obtained, and with nonreactive clay, intercalated PMMA/clay nanocomposites were obtained. Both results were confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. PMMA extracted from PMMA/clay nanocomposites synthesized by γ‐ray irradiation had higher molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. The enhanced thermal properties of the PMMA/clay nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The improved mechanical properties of PMMA/clay were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis. In particular, the enhancement of the thermal properties of the PMMA/clay nanocomposites with reactive modified clay was much more obvious than that of the PMMA/clay nanocomposites with nonreactive clay. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3218–3226, 2003     

Exploitation of introducing of catalytic centers into layer galleries of layered silicates and related epoxy nanocomposites. I. Epoxy nanocomposites derived from montmorillonite modified with catalytic surfactant‐bearing carboxyl groups

Montmorillonite (MMT) was modified with the acidified cocamidopropyl betaine (CAB) and the resulting organo‐montmorillonite (O‐MMT) was dispersed in an epoxy/methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride system to form epoxy nanocomposites. The intercalation and exfoliation behavior of the epoxy nanocomposites were examined by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The curing behavior and thermal property were investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and DSC, respectively. The results showed that MMT could be highly intercalated by acidified CAB, and O‐MMT could be easily dispersed in epoxy resin to form intercalated/exfoliated epoxy nanocomposites. When the O‐MMT loading was lower than 8 phr (relative to 100 phr resin), exfoliated nanocomposites were achieved. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of the exfoliated nanocomposite were 20 °C higher than that of the neat resin. At higher O‐MMT loading, partial exfoliation was achieved, and those samples possessed moderately higher T_g's as compared with the neat resin. O‐MMT showed an obviously catalytic nature toward the curing of epoxy resin. The curing rate of the epoxy compound increased with O‐MMT loading. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1192–1198, 2004     

Impact of the clay organic modifier on the morphology of polymer–clay nanocomposites prepared by in situ free‐radical polymerization in emulsion

Poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate) copolymers were prepared by free‐radical random copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate in emulsion in the presence of 10% of surface‐modified sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT). The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of the clay organic modifier in terms of its chemical structure, its degree of interaction within the clay galleries surface, and its ability to copolymerize with monomers, on the morphology and properties of the final nanocomposite prepared. Na‐MMT was modified using different organic modifiers, namely: sodium 1‐allyloxy‐2‐hydroxypropyl (Cops), 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), and sodium 11‐methacryloyloxy‐undecan‐1‐yl sulfate (MET), respectively. The morphology and properties of the nanocomposites obtained were found to be dependant on the clay organic modifier. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy indicated that, nanocomposites at 10% clay loading with Cops‐, NIPA‐, and MET‐modified clays, yielded intercalated to partially exfoliated structures, whereas AMPS‐modified clay gave a nanocomposite with a fully exfoliated structure. All polymer–clay nanocomposites were found to be more thermally stable than neat poly(S‐co‐BA) as were determined by TGA. However, nanocomposites with intercalated structures exhibited greater thermal stability relative to fully exfoliated ones. Furthermore, nanocomposites with exfoliated structures exhibited higher storage moduli (G^I) than partially exfoliated once, whereas intercalated structure showed the lowest G^I values. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3619–3628, 2008     

Influence of gamma irradiation on high density polyethylene/ethylene‐vinyl acetate/clay nanocomposites

The study of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA)/and organically‐modified montmorillonite (OMT) nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation followed by exposure to gamma‐rays have been carried out. The morphology and properties of the nanocomposites were studied using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetry. The purpose of the study focuses on the influence of gamma irradiation on the morphology, thermal stability and flammability properties of the nanocomposites. XRD studies and TEM images verified that the ordered intercalated nanomorphology of the nanocomposites was not disturbed by gamma irradiation. TGA data showed that the nano‐dispersion of clay throughout the polymer inhibited the irradiation degradation of HDPE/EVA blend, which led to the nanocomposites exhibiting superior irradiation‐resistant properties than that of the pure blend. Cone calorimetry results indicated that the improvement in heat release rate (HRR) for irradiated HDPE/EVA blend was suppressed efficiently when clay was present. Increasing clay loading from 2 to 10% was beneficial by improving the flammability properties of the nanocomposites, but promoted a rapid increase in the sub‐peak HRR at high irradiation dose level. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of polymerically‐modified clay structure on the morphology and properties of UV‐cured polyurethane acrylate/clay nanocomposites

Polyurethane acrylate (PUA)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by UV‐curing from a series of styrene‐based polymerically‐modified clays and PUA resin. Effect of the chemical structure of the polymeric surfactants on the morphology and tensile properties of nanocomposites has been explored. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experimental results indicated that surfactants having hydroxyl or amino groups show better dispersion and some of the clay platelets were fully exfoliated. However, the composites formed from pristine clay and other polymerically‐modified clays without hydroxyl or amino groups typically contained both tactoids and intercalated structure. The mechanical properties of PUA composites were greatly improved where the organoclays dispersed well. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were carried out to examine the thermal properties of the composites. The results showed that the loading of polymerically‐modified clays do not effect the thermal stability, but increased the Tgs of PUA/clay composites. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of polybenzoxazine/clay nanocomposites by in situ thermal ring‐opening polymerization using intercalated monomer

A new class of polybenzoxazine/montmorillonite (PBz/MMT) nanocomposites has been prepared by the in situ polymerization of the typical fluid benzoxazine monomer, 3‐pentyl‐5‐ol‐3,4‐dihydro‐1,3‐benzoxazine, with intercalated benzoxazine MMT clay. A pyridine‐substituted benzoxazine was first synthesized and quaternized by 11‐bromo‐1‐undecanol and then used for ion exchange reaction with sodium ions in MMT to obtain intercalated benzoxazine clay. Finally, this organomodified clay was dispersed in the fluid benzoxazine monomers at different loading degrees to conduct the in situ thermal ring‐opening polymerization. Polymerization through the interlayer galleries of the clay led to the PBz/MMT nanocomposite formation. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were investigated by both X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic techniques, which suggested the partially exfoliated/intercalated structures in the PBz matrix. Results of thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the thermal stability and char yield of PBz nanocomposites increased with the increase of clay content. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and Characterization of PE-g-MA／MgAI-LDH Exfoliation Nanocomposite via Solution Intercalation

An organo‐modified MgAl‐layered double hydroxide (OMgAl‐LDH) was successfully exfoliated in the xylene solution of polyethylene‐grafted‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) under re‐fluxing condition. A PE‐g‐MA/MgAl‐LDH exfoliation nanocomposite was formed after the precipitation of PE‐g‐MA from the dispersion system. The structure and thermal property of the PE‐g‐MA/MgAl‐LDH exfoliation nanocomposite were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The disappearance of d₀₀₁ XRD peak of OMgAl‐LDH at 20 = 3.2° suggests that the MgAl hydroxide sheets are exfoliated in the nanocomposite. The TEM image shows that the MgAl hydroxide sheets of less than 70 nm in length or width are exfoliated and dispersed disorderly in PE‐g‐MA matrix. TGA profiles indicate that the PE‐g‐MA/MgAl‐LDH nanocomposite with 5 wt% OMgAl‐LDH loading shows a faster charring process in temperature range from 210 to 390 °C and a greater thermal stability beyond 390 °C than PE‐g‐MA does. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposite is 25 °C higher than that of PE‐g‐MA as measured at 50% weight loss. The PE‐g‐MA/MgAl‐LDH nanocomposite is promising for application of flame‐retardant polymeric materials.     

Preparation and characterization of vinylidene chloride‐co‐vinyl chloride copolymer/fluorinated synthetic mica nanocomposites I thermal and mechanical properties studies

Poly(vinylidene chloride‐co‐vinylchloride)/organically modified fluorinated synthetic mica (MEE) (VDC‐VC/MEE) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending of VDC‐VC copolymer with MEE, in the presence of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) which acted as a plasticizer and a cointercalating agent. The nanostructure, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of the VDC‐VC/MEE nanocomposites were studied by wide angle X‐ray diffractometer (WAXD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). It was found that partially intercalated and partially exfoliated structures coexisted in VDC‐VC/MEE nanocomposities. Below 8 wt % MEE content, the intercalation effect of nanocomposites decreased with increasing the MEE content. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, VDC‐VC/MEE nanocomposites exhibited a single step thermal degradation behavior. The nanostructure of VDC‐VC/MEE can effectively prevent volatile gases from being released, and thus enhances its thermal stability. The thermal stability of VDC‐VC/MEE nanocomposites is strongly related to the morphology of nanocomposites and the degraded composites structure. DMA revealed a significant improvement in the storage modulus within the testing temperature range. The increase in storage modulus depends on the MEE content, which is attributed to the dispersed phase morphology. The glass transition temperature of VDC‐VC/MEE nanocomposites is affected by the chain mobility in the nanocomposites rather than the aggregative morphology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1214–1225, 2008     

Poly(L‐lactide)/layered double hydroxides nanocomposites: Preparation and crystallization behavior

Novel nanocomposites from poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) and an organically modified layered double hydroxide (LDH) were prepared using the melt‐mixing technique. The structure and crystallization behavior of these nanocomposites were investigated by means of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarized optical microscopy (POM). WAXD results indicate that the layer distance of dodecyl sulfate‐modified LDH (LDH‐DS) is increased in the PLLA/LDH composites, compared with the organically modified LDH. TEM analysis suggests that the most LDH‐DS layers disperse homogenously in the PLLA matrix in the nanometer scale with the intercalated or exfoliated structures. It was found that the incorporation of LDH‐DS has little or no discernable effect on the crystalline structure as well as the melting behavior of PLLA. However, the crystallization rate of PLLA increases with the addition of LDH‐DS. With the incorporation of 2.5 wt % LDH‐DS, the PLLA crystallization can be finished during the cooling process at 5 °C/min. With the addition of 5 wt % LDH‐DS, the half‐times of isothermal melt‐crystallization of PLLA at 100 and 120 °C reduce to 44.4% and 57.0% of those of the neat PLLA, respectively. POM observation shows that the nucleation density increases and the spherulite size of PLLA reduces distinctly with the presence of LDH‐DS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2222–2233, 2008     

乳液聚合法制备聚苯乙烯/Mg-Al层状双氢氧化物纳米复合材料

采用乳液聚合法制备阻燃性聚苯乙烯MgAl层状双氢氧化物(LDHs)纳米复合材料.通过对不同合成条件下复合材料的XRD谱,讨论了纳米复合材料的形成过程;经SEM图证实了LDHs是以剥离的纳米级层片分散在基体中的;TG和DSC谱图揭示了LDHs纳米层板可有效提高PS的热稳定性,并可使PS的玻璃化转化温度明显提高;当层状双氢氧化物在插层复合材料中含量为14.92%时,纳米复合材料的氧指数可达23.5%,其用量比在PS中直接添加纳米LDHs时要少约一倍.文中还分析了纳米复合材料的形成过程.     

Properties of covalently bonded layered‐silicate/polystyrene nanocomposites synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization

Covalently bonded layered silicated/polystyrene nanocomposites were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of initiator‐modified layered silicate. The resulting nanocomposites had an intercalated and partially exfoliated structure, as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites improved substantially over those of neat polystyrene. In particular, a maximum increase of 35.5 °C in the degradation temperature was displayed by these nanocomposites. Additionally, the surface elastic modulus and hardness of these nanocomposites were more than double those of pure polystyrene. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 534–542, 2005     

Investigation of Structural,Rheological and Thermal Properties of PMMA/ONi-Al LDH Nanocomposites Synthesized via Solvent Blending Method: Effect of LDH Loading

This article addresses the synthesis of organically tailored Ni-Al layered double hydroxide(ONi-Al LDH) and its use in the fabrication of exfoliated poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) nanocomposites. The pristine Ni-Al LDH was initially synthesized by co-precipitation method and subsequently modified using sodium dodecyl sulfate to obtain ONi-Al LDH. Nanocomposites of PMMA containing various amounts of modified Ni-Al LDH(3 wt%?7 wt%) were synthesized via solvent blending method to investigate the influence of LDH content on the properties of PMMA matrix. Several characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), rheological analysis, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis(TGA), were employed to examine the structural, viscoelastic and thermal properties of PMMA/OLDH nanocomposites. The results of XRD and TEM examination confirm the formation of partially exfoliated PMMA/OLDH nanocomposites. The FTIR results elucidate that the characteristic bands for both pure PMMA and modified LDH are present in the spectra of PMMA/OLDH nanocomposites. Rheological analyses were carried out to examine the adhesion between polymer matrix and fillers present in the nanocomposite sample. The TGA data indicate that the PMMA nanocomposites exhibit higher thermal stability when compared to pure PMMA. The thermal decomposition temperature of PMMA/OLDH nanocomposites increases by 28 K compared to that of pure PMMA at 15% weight loss as a point of reference. In comparison with pure PMMA, the PMMA nanocomposite containing 7 wt% LDH demonstrates improved glass transition temperature(Tg) of around 3 K. The activation energy(Ea), reaction orders(n) and reaction mechanism of thermal degradation of PMMA/OLDH nanocomposites were evaluated using different kinetic models. Water uptake capacity of the PMMA/OLDH nanocomposites is less than that of the pure PMMA.