Modified kaolinites‐polyalkyl methacrylate nanocomposites: Exploring relations between solubility parameters and thermal properties for in situ solution polymerization

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA), and their nanocomposites (Kao‐PMMAs and Kao‐PEMAs) with various kaolinite intercalation compounds were prepared in several solution polymerization media in order to examine relations between solubility parameters of polymerization medium including monomer and solvent/solvents and of intercalating agents and thermal properties of the resultant materials. The measurements of X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize these materials. The increase in solubility parameter of polymerization medium improved thermal decomposition temperatures of PEMA and Kao‐PEMAs when it usually induced a decrease in those of PMMA and Kao‐PMMAs and in glass transition temperatures of all materials. These results were also examined in respect of the effects of hydrogen bonding and dispersion components of solubility parameters of intercalating agents on the thermal properties of these materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2333–2341, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers