Preparation and properties of [poly(methyl methacrylate)/imogolite] hybrid via surface modification using phosphoric acid ester

Novel polymer nanohybrid was prepared by free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of inorganic nanofiber 'imogolite' as reinforcing nanofiller. Imogolite is a hydrous aluminosilicate with a unique nanofiber structure. The surface of imogolite was modified with 2-acidphosphoxyethyl methacrylate, which has a polymerizable methacrylate group and a phosphoric acid moiety, before preparation of polymer hybrid. The polymer nanohybrid was prepared by free radical polymerization in the presence of surface modified imogolite. The mechanical properties of (PMMA/modified imogolite) hybrid with the modified imogolite were improved in comparison with those of PMMA and (PMMA/unmodified imogolite) blend. Furthermore, the hybrid film prepared from the surface modified imogolite kept the transparency similar to PMMA film. These results indicate the usefulness of the surface modification method with phosphoric acid groups and imogolite nanofibers as a reinforcing material.