Synthesis and characterization of poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate)/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites via in situ polymerization

Intercalated poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate)/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites (PS-PMMA/LDH-B) have been synthesized by the in situ bulk multistep polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of the Ca-Al layered double hydroxide, previously modified by the incorporation of benzoate anions [Ca₄Al₂(OH)₁₂(C₆H₅COO)₂·xH₂O, LDH-B]. Nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD and TGA results pointed to the successful incorporation of the LDH-B within the copolymer matrix. XRD results indicated that the characteristic layered structure of the LDH-B had disappeared due to disordering. TEM analysis confirmed that LDH-B was partially dispersed within the matrix forming a structure with alternating matrix-particle regions, where particles appear in a form of intercalated nanocomposite structure. TGA results showed improved thermal properties in comparison to the neat PS-PMMA copolymer.