In situ synthesis, morphology, and fundamental properties of polymer/MoS2 nanocomposites

As a graphene-like layered nanomaterial, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) had gained enormous attention from the materials fields. In this work, MoS2 nanosheets were firstly modified by cation surfactant with long alkyl chain (CTAB) and then the modified MoS2 nanosheets (CTAB-MoS2) were incorporated into polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices via in situ polymerization method. The structure, thermal stability and fire resistance properties of the PS and PMMA/CTAB-MoS2 nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Microscale combustion colorimeter (MCC) and Cone test, respectively. The modified MoS2 nanosheets were dispersed well in the PS matrix with intercalated structure as indicated by XRD pattern and TEM techniques. The introduction of MoS2 into the polymer matrix such as PS and PMMA can markedly improve its thermal properties and reduce the fire hazards. With the addition of 3 wt% CTAB-MoS2, T−50% and T−max of the PS nanocomposites were increased by 48 and 46 °C, respectively. The peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) values of the PS/5% CTAB-MoS2 nanocomposites decreased by 40% and 27% respectively compared with that of the pure PS. For the PMMA nanocomposites with 1% CTAB-MoS2, the T−5% and T−10% increased by 35 and 53 °C compared to that of neat PMMA. Meanwhile, the PHRR and THR were decreased by 25% and 20%, respectively. The method used in this research work provided a novel route to other MoS2-based polymer nanocomposites with excellent performances.