Synthesis and characterization of intercalated ladder‐like poly(vinylsilsesquioxanes)/organically modified montmorillonite nanocomposites

Abstract In this paper, ladder‐like poly(vinylsilsesquioxanes) (LPVS)/organically modified montmorillonite (OMT) nanocomposites have been synthesized by ultrasonic dispersion and solution blending method. The structures of nanocomposites are characterized by small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and high‐resolution transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). These results indicate that LPVS have already entered the galleries of OMT layers and intercalated LPVS/OMT nanocomposites have been formed. The effects of different reaction conditions, including solution concentration and the advantage of ultrasonic dispersion, are discussed. The intercalated nanocomposite is further treated at 250.0°C for 2 h in order to eliminate surfactant in OMT. On the basis of the SAXS and TGA results, it has been found that the treated product remains in its intercalated structure and presents better thermal stability, which provides potential usage in polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 27: 660–664, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers