Institute for Polymer Materials, POLYMAT, Dpto. de Química Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, University of the Basque Country, Joxe Mari Korta zentroa, Tolosa Etorbidea 72, 20018 Donostia‐San Sebastián, Spain
Abstract:
Waterborne polymer/clay nanocomposites of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate have been prepared by miniemulsion polymerization. Two different commercial organically modified clays have been used: Cloisite 15A and Cloisite 30B. Nanocomposites with partially exfoliated structure, observed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were obtained by batch miniemulsion polymerization with 2–4 wt.‐% clay and 30% solids content. The mechanical, thermal and permeation properties of the nanocomposites showed a substantial improvement. Furthermore, this approach has allowed the production of stable and coagulum free latex with solids content up to 42 wt.‐% with partially exfoliated structures.
