High-impact polystyrene/halloysite nanocomposites prepared by emulsion polymerization using sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 358; no. 2; pp. 423 - 429
• Main Authors: Lin, Yong, Ng, Kai Mo, Chan, Chi-Ming, Sun, Guoxing, Wu, Jingshen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 15.06.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: aqueous solutions; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; differential scanning calorimetry; Dispersion; Emulsifiers; Emulsion polymerization; emulsions; Emulsions. Microemulsions. Foams; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; General and physical chemistry; Halloysite; Impact strength; Microemulsion polymerization; Nanocomposites; nanospheres; nanotubes; polymerization; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; polystyrenes; Sodium; sodium dodecyl sulfate; styrene; Styrenes; Sulfates; surfactants; thermogravimetry; transmission electron microscopy; Halloysite; Polystyrene; Impact strength; Microemulsion polymerization; Differential scanning calorimetry; Nanotube; Thermogravimetry; Dispersant; Emulsifier; Surfactant; Ionic surfactant; Lauryl sulfate; Infrared spectrometry; Anionic surfactant; Transmission electron microscopy; Emulsion polymerization; Sodium; Preparation; Styrene polymer; Nanocomposite; Nanosphere; Aqueous solution; Microemulsion
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2011.03.009

High-impact polystyrene/halloysite nanocomposites prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization using sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant. [Display omitted] ► High-impact polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites filled with individually dispersed halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization of styrene. ► The emulsion polymerization resulted in the formation of polystyrene nanospheres separating individual HNTs. ► The impact strength of the PS/HNTs nanocomposites was 300% higher than that of the neat PS. High-impact polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites filled with individually dispersed halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were prepared by emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of HNTs with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the emulsifier. The SDS is a good dispersing agent for HNTs in aqueous solution. The emulsion polymerization resulted in the formation of polystyrene nanospheres separating individual HNTs. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the HNTs were uniformly dispersed in the PS matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry were used to characterize the PS/HNT nanocomposites. The impact strength of the PS/HNTs nanocomposites was 300% higher than that of the neat PS. This paper presents a simple yet feasible method for the preparation of high-impact PS/halloysite nanocomposites.