The Characterization of Organic Modified Montmorillonite and Its Filled PMMA Nanocomposite

Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)results of commercial montmorillonite were compared to that exchanged with trimethyloctadecyl quaternary ammonium chloride (SCPX2048), both were treated up to500°C. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF/MS) results of SCPX2048 trapped under300 and 500°C were compared with that of N,N,Ntrimethyl-1-dodecanammonium chloride(A 18-50) trapped under 200 and 300°C. The degradation mechanism of organic modified montmorillonite was proposed. PMMA-clay nanocomposite was synthesized through intercalation method and its properties were examined by both TG and DSC techniques. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature of montmorillonite filled PMMA increase comparing with that of the pure PMMA. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.