Polystyrene- and poly (methyl methacrylate)-organoclay nanocomposites using a one-chain benzimidazolium surfactant

In this paper, the synthesis of a one-chain benzimidazolium surfactant is accomplished and polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites with organoclay modified by the above surfactant are prepared by melt blending. XRD, TEM, TGA and cone calorimetry are employed to evaluate the dispersion of the clay in the polymer matrices, thermal stability and fire behavior. TEM results show that the clay disperses more uniformly in the PMMA matrix than in PS. Both polymer nanocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal stability. From cone calorimetry, substantial reduction of heat release rates is obtained at 3wt% and 5wt% of clay from polystyrene and a more remarkable reduction in PMMA.