Synthesis and Characterization of VP/O-MMT Macromolecule Nanocomposite Material via Polymer Exfoliation—Adsorption Method

Vinyl polymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite (VP/O-MMT) is prepared by the solution exfoliation—adsorption method. The results of XRD, DSC, and TEM show that ion exchange has been successful between cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and montmorillonite (MMT) galleries, and the distance between the galleries of MMT has been increased from 1.0 to 1.9 nm, after exfoliation—adsorption by vinyl polymer. The distance can be increased to infinity. The glass transition temperature can be enhanced greatly and the melting peak is transferred to high temperatures; the thermal endurance of VP/O-MMT is also increased. An exfoliated structure is also formed. The TEM result of VP/O-MMT shows that MMT has been exfoliated by vinyl polymer matrix.