| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891555 | Radiation Physics and Chemistry | 2012 | 5 Pages |
Vinyl copolymer–clay nanocomposites were prepared by γ-irradiation-initiated radical polymerization using a mixture of styrene (St) and divinyl benzene (DVB) in the presence of reactive organic montmorillonite clay (OMMT) in methanol at room temperature. Reactive OMMT was synthesized by a cation exchange reaction of Na+-MMT and 1-[(4-ethylphenyl)methyl]-3-butyl-imidazolium chloride as a reactive organic modifier in an aqueous solution. The microstructures of the nanocomposites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability was examined by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). As a result, the reactive OMMT was a good additive material for preparing vinyl copolymer–clay nanocomposites.
► Vinyl copolymer–clay nanocomposites were prepared by γ-irradiation. ► Different St/DVB monomer ratios used to alter the crosslinking of the polymers. ► TEM revealed well exfoliated clay sheets dispersed in the ST/DVB copolymer matrix. ► More highly crosslinked copolymers formed as increasing DVB content.
