Characterization and photooxidative behaviour of nanocomposites formed with polystyrene and LDHs organo-modified by monomer surfactant

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) organo-modified by a surface-active monomer, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate (SPMA) was used as filler for polystyrene (PS). Different nanocomposites SPMA/LDH:PS were prepared by bulk polymerization process using low amount of initiator. The two components, filler and polymer, as well as the degree dispersion of the reactive filler as a function of its loading in PS were characterized by a combination of several techniques: X-ray diffraction, high resolution 13C CP-MAS NMR, FTIR, UV-visible, thermal analysis, SEC and MET. The nanocomposites were submitted to UV-light exposures in the presence of oxygen. The oxidation photoproducts and the rates of oxidation were compared for the various samples. It was shown that the filler was not modifying the oxidation mechanism of the polymer, but had a slight effect on the oxidation rate.