Preparation, characterization and water barrier properties of PS/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polystyrene/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared via solution blending method, using CHCl₃ and CCl₄ as solvents. The clay used was organically modified by hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) at various surfactant loadings. Intercalated nanocomposite structure was obtained using CHCl₃ as solvent while exfoliated or partially exfoliated was probably the predominated form in the case of CCl₄, as shown by X-ray diffraction measurements. Enhancement in thermal stability and in water barrier properties was observed for PS-nanocomposites compared to that of pristine polymer as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis and water vapor transmission measurements. This increment was more prevalent for nanocomposites prepared with carbon tetrachloride as solvent.