Effect of organoclays on the thermal, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties of poly(methylmethacrylate‐ co ‐acrylonitrile)/clay nanocomposites

Abstract The nanostructured hybrid materials of poly(methylmethacrylate‐ co ‐acrylonitrile) copolymer were synthesized with incorporation of two organically modified clays, Cloisite® 30B and 93A by in situ intercalative emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization method. The synthesized products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to get evidence of copolymerization and formation of copolymer‐clay nanocomposite. X‐ray diffraction study and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the clays were successfully intercalated and exfoliated into the copolymer matrix. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied as a function of clay content of different clay types by thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed significant effect of both the clays in enhancing thermal resistance of the materials. Mechanical properties of the composites were also found to be improved at optimum clay loading. Oxygen barrier property of these materials was measured and it was found that the oxygen permeability was reduced almost by half due to incorporation of clays at 3% loading. Further, it was observed that Cloisite® 93A was more effective for improvement in properties when compared with Cloisite® 30B in the hybrid materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers