Preparation and characterization of poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene)/montmorillonite nanocomposites

• Published in: Polymer composites Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 281 - 287
• Main Authors: Chen, Zhonghua, Feng, Runcai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2009; Wiley; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Clay; Organic clay; Montmorillonite; SBS; Thermal ageing; Mechanical properties; Thermoplastic rubber; Experimental study; Composite material; Tensile strength; Thermal stability; Surface treatment; Thermal properties; Triblock copolymer; Free radical polymerization; Emulsion polymerization; Morphology; Preparation; Concentration effect; Acrylamide polymer; Nanocomposite; Tear strength; Graft polymers
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.20631

With some polymerizable small molecules grafting onto the montmorillonite surface, we disposed the clay through in‐situ emulsion polymerization, and the structure of the modified montmorillonites were studied through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The nanocomposites of poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) (SBS)/montmorillonite with excellent mechanical properties were prepared by mixing SBS and the modified montmorillonite on the double rollers at 150°C. The exfoliation of the layered silicates was confirmed by XRD analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. After mechanical kneading of the molten nanocomposites, the exfoliation structure of the silicates is still stable for polystyrene macromolecules grafting onto the silicates. Upon the addition of the modified montmorillonite, the tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of the nanocomposites increased from 22.6 MPa to 31.1 MPa, from 608% to 948%, from 45.32 N/mm to 55.27 N/mm, respectively. The low‐temperature point of glass‐transition temperature (Tg) of the products was about −77°C, almost constant, but the high‐temperature point increased from 97°C to 106°C. In addition, the nanocomposites of SBS and modified montmorillonites showed good resistance to thermal oxidation and aging. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers