Preparation of polystyrene/clay nanocomposite by suspension and emulsion polymerization

Abstract Organophilic montmorillonite was prepared using ion‐exchange method between sodium ions in clay layers and four kind of quaternary ammonium salt. The montmorillonite has the largest d₀₀₁‐spacing, as determined by X‐ray diffraction in modified by di(hydrogenated tallowalkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride. Polystyrene montmorillonite nanocomposites were obtained by suspension and emulsion polymerization of styrene in the dispersed organophilic montmorillonite. The d₀₀₁‐spacing of clay was determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability of organophilic montmorillonite was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers