Nanocomposites of poly(vinyl chloride) and nanometric calcium carbonate particles: Effects of chlorinated polyethylene on mechanical properties,morphology, and rheology

Nanocomposites of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and nano‐calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles were prepared via melt blending, and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) as an interfacial modifier was also introduced into the nanocomposites through preparing CPE/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch. The mechanical properties, morphology, and rheology were studied. A moderate toughening effect was observed for PVC/nano‐CaCO₃ binary nanocomposites. The elongation at break and Young's modulus also increased with increasing the nano‐CaCO₃ concentration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study demonstrated that the nano‐CaCO₃ particles were dispersed in a PVC matrix uniformly, and a few nanoparticles agglomeration was found. The toughening effect of the nano‐CaCO₃ particles on PVC could be attributed to the cavitation of the matrix, which consumed tremendous fracture energy. The notched Izod impact strength achieved a significant improvement by incorporating CPE into the nanocomposites, and obtained the high value of 745 J/m. Morphology investigation indicated that the nano‐CaCO₃ particles in the PVC matrix was encapsulated with a CPE layer through preparing the CPE/nano‐CaCO₃ master batch. The evaluation of rheological properties revealed that the introduction of nano‐CaCO₃ particles into PVC resulted in a remarkable increase in the melt viscosity. However, the viscosity decreased with addition of CPE, especially at high shear rates; thus, the processability of the ternary nanocomposites was improved. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2714–2723, 2004     

纳米碳酸钙性质对聚氯乙烯复合材料界面及性能的影响

选择了不同的表面处理剂对纳米CaCO₃进行表面改性. 研究了不同表面处理剂对CaCO₃/PVC纳米复合材料微观结构、界面结合强度、力学性能及加工性能的影响.研究表明,钛酸酯偶联剂处理可使纳米CaCO₃颗粒在PVC基体中达到良好分散,明显改善纳米CaCO₃颗粒与PVC基体之间的界面结合,并提高其界面结合强度.力学性能和流变性能研究表明,钛酸酯处理的纳米CaCO₃填充PVC具有更高的拉伸强度、冲击强度以及更低的平衡转矩, 而且CaCO₃/PVC复合材料的冲击韧性在填充量为20%(mass)时达到最大值26.5 kJ•m^-2,是纯PVC的4倍.     

Crystallization and impact energy of polypropylene/CaCO3 nanocomposites with nonionic modifier

Isotactic polypropylene (PP) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanocomposites were prepared by melt extrusion in a twin screw extruder. The commercial CaCO₃ nanoparticles had a poor dispersion in PP matrix. The addition of a small amount of a nonionic modifier during melt extrusion greatly improved the dispersion of CaCO₃ nanoparticles. The influence of CaCO₃ nanoparticles on the crystallization of PP was studied by wide angle X-ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy. The introduction of CaCO₃ particles resulted in small and imperfect PP spherulites, decreased spherulite growth rate and induced formation of β-form PP. The yield strength of PP decreased gradually while its Young's modulus increased slightly with increasing CaCO₃ loading. By adding 1.5 wt% of nonionic modifier to PP/CaCO₃ (85/15) nanocomposite these tensile properties were not changed much but the notched Izod impact energy of the composites was significantly increased.     

Structure-property relationships of in-situ PMMA modified nano-sized antimony trioxide filled poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites

Nano-sized antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) particles were modified by in-situ methyl methacrylate (MMA)/Sb₂O₃ polymerization. Subsequently, these modified nanoparticles were compounded with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) to prepare PVC/Sb₂O₃ nanocomposites. In-situ MMA/Sb₂O₃ polymerization kinetics shows that nano-Sb₂O₃ particles do not inhibit polymerization of MMA. PMMA shell covered on the surface of nano-sized Sb₂O₃ particles have enhanced interactions with PVC matrix, breaking down nano-Sb₂O₃ particle agglomerates and improving their dispersion in the matrix (average particle size of 60-80 nm) and also increasing the particle-matrix interfacial adhesion. Thus, nano-Sb₂O₃ particles reinforce and toughen PVC. It was observed that at 2.5 wt% of nano-Sb₂O₃ particles modified by in-situ PMMA optimal properties were achieved in Young's modulus, tensile yield strength, elongation at break and Charpy notched impact strength. Detailed examinations of micro-failure mechanisms of tensile specimens showed that nano-Sb₂O₃ particles acted as stress concentrators leading to debonding/voiding and deformation of the matrix material around the nanoparticles. Under impact fracture, the nano-Sb₂O₃ particles prolonged crack initiation time, and increased energy absorptions for crack initiation and fracture propagation caused by strong interfacial interaction between nanoparticles and PVC matrix. These mechanisms lead to impact toughening of the nanocomposites.     

Role of copper alumina nanoparticles on the performance of polyvinylchloride nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposites with different contents of copper alumina (Cu-Al₂O₃) nanoparticles were prepared by the solution casting method. The effects of the nanoparticles on structural, thermal, electrical, contact angle and mechanical properties were thoroughly examined. The presence of Cu-Al₂O₃ in the macromolecular chain was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of PVC nanocomposites showed the systematic arrangement of Cu-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles within the polymer, which indicated the higher crystallinity of the nanocomposites. The surface morphology of PVC was changed into hemispherical shaped particles by the inclusion of nanofiller was analyzed from SEM images. The glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was found to be increased with an increase in loading of nanoparticles in the polymer. The AC conductivity and dielectric studies revealed that the inclusion of nanofiller increases the electrical properties of the material and the composite with 7 wt.% sample showed the maximum conductivity and dielectric constant. The mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, and impact properties of the PVC nanocomposites were significantly enhanced by the reinforcement of nanoparticles into the PVC matrix. The reinforcing mechanism behind the increase in tensile strength with the addition of nanoparticles was correlated with different theoretical models. The highest mechanical and electrical properties were observed for 7 wt.% Cu-Al₂O₃ loaded nanocomposite. Contact angle measurements of PVC with various loadings of Cu-Al₂O₃ nanofillers demonstrated that the nanoparticle attachment increased the hydrophobicity of the polymer matrix.     

Rheology and Mechanical Properties of PVC/Acrylonitrile–Chlorinated Polyethylene-Styrene/MAP-POSS Nanocomposites

The nanocomposite of the Poly(vinyl chloride)/acrylonitrile-chlorinated- polyethylene-styrene (ACS)/methylacryloylpropyl-contaning polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAP-POSS) (PVC/ACS/MAP-POSS) was prepared. Plasticizing behavior, dynamic rheology behavior and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The results showed that the plastic time decreased with increasing MAP-POSS content. The dynamic storage modulus G ′, loss modulus G″ and complex viscosity η* of the nanocomposites all exhibit a monotonic change with increasing frequency, and all have maximum when MAP-POSS content is 4 wt%, at the same frequency. The MAP-POSS can be used as an efficient process aid and impact aid of PVC/ACS blend at appropriate content.     

Preparation and properties of nano‐CaCO3/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene composites

CaCO₃/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) and CaCO₃/ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/ABS nanocomposites were prepared by melting‐blend with a single‐screw extruder. Mechanical properties of the nanocomposites and the dispersion state of CaCO₃ particles in ABS matrix were investigated. The results showed that in CaCO₃/EVA/ABS nanocomposites, CaCO₃ nanoparticles could increase flexural modulus of the composites and maintain or increase their impact strength for a certain nano‐CaCO₃ loading range. The tensile strength of the nanocomposites, however, was appreciably decreased by adding CaCO₃ nanoparticles. The microstructure of neat ABS, CaCO₃/ABS nanocomposites, and CaCO₃/EVA/ABS nanocomposites was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It can be found that CaCO₃ nanoparticles were well‐dispersed in ABS matrix at nanoscale. The morphology of the fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites revealed that when CaCO₃/EVA/ABS nanocomposites were exposed to external force, nano‐CaCO₃ particles initiated and terminated crazing (silver streak), which can absorb more impact energy than neat ABS. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of epoxy resin/CaCO3 nanocomposites and performance of resultant powder coatings

Epoxy resin/CaCO₃ nanocomposites were prepared by the methods of extruding, solution blending, and in situ and inclusion polymerization, respectively. The contents of nanoparticles in the nanocomposites were varied from 5 wt % to 15 wt %. Powder coatings with different content of nanoparticles were made from the nanocomposites. The results showed that the cupping property and impact resistance decreased with the increase of coating film thickness. The dispersion of nanoparticles in epoxy matrix affected the impact resistance and cupping property of the obtained coating films greatly. The coating films made from the nanocomposite prepared by in situ and inclusion polymerization showed that the best impact resistance and the maximum cupping property was achieved when nano‐CaCO₃ content was 5 wt %. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2656–2660, 2006     

Interfacial structures and mechanical properties of PVC composites reinforced by CaCO3 with different particle sizes and surface treatments

The effects of particle size and surface treatment of CaCO₃ particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites filled with CaCO₃ particles via a melt blending method were studied by SEM, an AG‐2000 universal material testing machine and an XJU‐2.75 Izod impact strength machine. The tensile and impact strengths of CaCO₃/PVC greatly increased with decreasing CaCO₃ particle size, which was attributed to increased interfacial contact area and enhanced interfacial adhesion between CaCO₃ particles and PVC matrix. Titanate‐treated nano‐CaCO₃/PVC composites had superior tensile and impact strengths to untreated or sodium‐stearate‐treated CaCO₃/PVC composites. The impact strength of titanate‐treated nano‐CaCO₃/PVC composites was 26.3 ± 1.1 kJ m⁻², more than three times that of pure PVC materials. The interfacial adhesion between CaCO₃ particles and PVC matrix was characterized by the interfacial interaction parameter B and the debonding angle θ, both of which were calculated from the tensile strength of CaCO₃/PVC composites. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of nanocalcium carbonate on the impact strength and accelerated weatherability of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)/acrylic impact modifier

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites filled with nano‐ and micro‐CaCO₃ particles were prepared via a melt blending method. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed better dispersion of nano‐CaCO₃ than micro‐CaCO₃ in the PVC matrix. With more than 5 phr (parts per 100 parts of resin) of nano‐CaCO₃ content, both impact strength and heat stability were improved. Accelerated weathering tests were performed to investigate UV stability. The impact strength and white index obtained upon weathering exposure of PVC/(80 μm CaCO₃) nanocomposites showed a significant improvement upon incorporating nano‐CaCO₃. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Toughening and reinforcement of rigid PVC with silicone rubber/nano‐CACO3 shell‐core structured fillers

To improve the mechanical properties and structure of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/nano‐CaCO₃ nano composite, a core (nano‐CaCO₃)/shell (SR) structured filler (40–60 nm) was successfully prepared by refluxing methyl vinyl silicone rubber (SR) and nano‐CaCO₃ particles (coupling agent KH550, KH560, or NDZ‐101 as interfacial modifier) in toluene with vigorous stirring, according to an encapsulation model. It is effective in rigid PVC composite's toughness and reinforcement. The interfacial modifier's structure and interaction of nanocomposites of PVC/SR/nano‐CaCO₃ were studied. The results indicate that KH560 has the optimal interfacial modificatory effect. The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) study testified that PVC/SR/nano‐CaCO₃ nanocomposites had a typical rubber–plastics‐toughening mechanism. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2560–2567, 2006     

Improving mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) by doping with organically functionalized reactive nanosilica

Nanosilica particles are functionalized by in situ surface‐modification with trimethyl silane and vinyl silane. Resultant reactive nanosilica (coded as RNS) contains double bonds and possesses good compatibility with vinyl chloride (VC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This makes it feasible for RNS to copolymerize with VC generating RNS/PVC composites via in situ suspension polymerization. As‐prepared RNS/PVC composite resins are analyzed by means of FTIR. The tensile strength and impact strength of compression‐molded RNS/PVC composites are measured and compared with that of compression‐molded PVC composites doped with dispersible nano‐SiO₂ particles (abridged as DNS) surface‐modified with trimethyl silane alone. Moreover, the thermal stability of compression‐molded RNS/PVC and DNS/PVC composites is evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. It has been found that RNS/PVC composites possess greatly increased impact strength and tensile strength than PVC matrix, while DNS/PVC composites possess higher impact strength than PVC matrix but almost the same tensile strength as the PVC matrix. This implies that DNS is less effective than RNS in improving the mechanical strength of PVC matrix. Particularly, RNS/PVC composites prepared by in situ suspension polymerization have much higher mechanical strength than RNS/PVC composites prepared by melt‐blending, even when their nanosilica content is only 1/10 of that of the melt‐blended ones. Besides, in situ polymerized RNS/PVC and DNS/PVC composites have better thermal stability than melt‐blended nanosilica/PVC composites. Hopefully, this strategy, may be extended to fabricating various novel high‐performance polymer‐matrix composites doped with organically functionalized nanoparticles like RNS. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Investigation of the addition of nano‐CaCo3 at dry mixing or onset of fusion on the dispersion,torque, and mechanical properties of compounded PVC

A Brabender torque rheometer equipped with an internal mixer was used to study the influence of compounding method on the properties of (rigid PVC)/(treated and untreated nano‐CaCO₃) nanocomposites. Two different methods were studied for the addition of surface treated and untreated nano‐CaCO₃ during the melt mixing of rigid PVC. Direct dry mixing of rigid PVC and nano‐CaCO₃, and addition of nano‐CaCO₃ at the onset of PVC fusion were investigated. Dispersion of treated and untreated nano‐CaCO₃ was studied by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that using direct dry mixing improved the dispersion of nano‐CaCO₃ in the PVC matrix by lowering the fusion time. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposite samples such as impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break were improved by using this method. The addition of treated nano‐CaCO₃ at the onset of fusion caused a simultaneous decrease in torque. Also, rigid PVC nanocomposites prepared with treated nano‐CaCO₃ showed better mechanical properties than those of nanocomposites prepared with the untreated nano‐CaCO₃. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 18:153–160, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of Processing Method on Morphological and Rheological Properties of PC/CaCO3 Nanocomposites

The focus of this work is to investigate the effect of different manufacturing methods on nanoparticles dispersion and rheological properties of polycarbonate (PC) filled nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanocomposites. Two methods were used to prepare the PC/CaCO₃ nanocomposites through twin-screw extruder: one was compounding PC with CaCO₃ nano-powder, named PC-CP; another was compounding PC with CaCO₃ aqueous suspension, named PC-CAS. The relationship between the processing method and the particle dispersion, matrix molecular weight and rheological properties of the nanocomposite was discussed. Morphological observation showed that nanoparticles were dispersed more homogeneously in PC-CAS. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) test showed that molecular weight drop of PC-CAS was smaller than PC-CP when CaCO₃ content under 2.2 wt%. Melt flow rate (MFR) and capillary rheological behavior indicated the change of rheological property of PC-CP was larger than PC-CAS while CaCO₃ content under 2.6 wt%. In general, both the dispersion and rheological property of PC-CAS were better than PC-CP under a reasonable CaCO₃ content.     

Effects of poly(1,2‐propylene glycol adipate) and nano‐CaCO3 on DOP migration and mechanical properties of flexible PVC

Nano‐CaCO₃ was used as nano‐scale filler and poly(1,2‐propylene glycol adipate) (PPA) was used as polymeric plasticizer in flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets for the partial replacement of di(2‐ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DOP) in this paper. The effect of PPA and nano‐CaCO₃ on restraining DOP migration was evaluated via extraction tests. The results showed that the introduction of nano‐CaCO₃ can decrease the extraction rate of DOP in the PVC matrix. The tensile strength and elongation at break of CaCO₃‐1/PPA‐20/DOP‐30/PVC were similar to those of DOP‐50/PVC, and CaCO₃‐1/PPA‐20/DOP‐30/PVC exhibited the superior suppression of DOP migration compared with DOP‐50/PVC. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) indicated that the addition of nano‐CaCO₃ effectively improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Therefore, the combination of PPA and nano‐CaCO₃ is an effective approach to suppress the migration of DOP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Polymer/liquid crystal nanocomposites for energy storage applications

High-dielectric constant (high-K) polymer nanocomposites based on nematic liquid crystals and CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) nanoparticles have been prepared. The host matrix is polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) in which LC (E7) droplets are dispersed in different polymer blends ratios of poly vinyl chloride/poly aniline (PVC/PANI). The PDLC (PVC/PANI/E7) in the appropriated ratios; (90/10/5), (75/25/5), and (50/50/5) were composited with 10 wt% CCTO nanoparticles. The IR spectra recorded for the PDLC nanocomposites present a spectrum similar to that of pure PDLC but with a slight shift of the peak positions. The addition of PANI and CCTO to PDLC enhances the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. SEM demonstrates agglomerates of CCTO dispersed in the polymer textures. Moreover, the addition of E7 facilitates the integration of PANI in PDLC matrix. The broadband dielectric spectrum shows high-frequency relaxation in addition to low-frequency interfacial polarization (Maxwell-Wagner type polarization). Besides, ε′ at 50 Hz is in the order of 10⁵ for PDLC/CCTO (50/50/5/10) nanocomposite. In addition, the computed energy density is found to be 74.66 J/cm³. This presumed ratio could be accentuated as a potential candidate for energy storage application with respect to the considerations of device fabrications.     

PMMA‐grafted‐silica/PVC nanocomposites: Mechanical performance and barrier properties

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/SiO₂ nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixture using a twin‐screw mixing method. To improve the dispersion degree of the nanoparticles and endow the compatibility between polymeric matrix and nanosilica, SiO₂ surface was grafted with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The interfacial adhesion was enhanced with filling the resulting PMMA‐grafted‐SiO₂ hybrid nanoparticles characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Both storage modulus and glass transition temperature of prepared nanocomposites measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were increased compared with untreated nanosilica‐treated PVC composite. A much more efficient transfer of stresses was permitted from the polymer matrix to the hybrid silica nanoparticles. The filling of the hybrid nanoparticles caused the improved mechanical properties (tensile strength, notched impact strength, and rigidity) when the filler content was not more than 3 wt %. Permeability rates of O₂ and H₂O through films of PMMA‐grafted‐SiO₂/PVC were also measured. Lower rates were observed when compared with that of neat PVC. This was attributed to the more tortuous path which must be covered by the gas molecules, since SiO₂ nanoparticles are considered impenetrable by gas molecules. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Thermal,thermomechanical, and morphological characterization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/ZnO nanocomposites: PVC molecular weight effect

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)‐based nanocomposites containing 2 wt% zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared by solution casting and the effect of the PVC molecular weight (MW) on the morphology, thermal properties, and thermogravimetric behavior was studied. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles to PVCs of different MWs increased the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the resulting nanocomposites, the extent of which was dependent upon the MW of the PVC matrix. The nanocomposite samples exhibited broadened transition zones as compared with their unfilled PVC matrices. The extent of transition zone broadening was also controlled by the MW of the PVC matrix in the nanocomposites. In the absence of ZnO nanoparticles, the increase in MW of PVC had no effect on the breadth of the transition zone. The TGA results showed that the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into PVC matrices of different MWs accelerated the first stage weight loss via the nanoparticle catalytic effect through removal of HCL from the polymeric chains. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles lowered the second stage weight loss, and the char yield obtained for nanocomposites samples was significantly greater than that obtained for neat PVC samples. At low MWs, the presence of ZnO nanoparticles had no effect on the first stage of thermal degradation process. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles in the matrix in different nanocomposites was revealed by SEM observations, and the EDX analysis demonstrated a progressive improvement in the distribution and dispersion state of ZnO nanoparticles in the PVC‐based nanocomposites as the MW of PVC matrix gradually increased. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E63–E71, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of the reinforcement and toughening of acrylate resin/CaCO3 nanoparticles on rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

Novel composite particles based on nanoscale calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) as the core and polyacrylates as the shell were first synthesized by in situ encapsulating emulsion polymerization in the presence of the fresh slush pulp of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles. Subsequently, these modified nanoparticles were compounded with rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (RPVC) to prepare RPVC/CaCO₃ nanocomposites. At the same time, the effects of the reinforcement and toughening of these modified nanoparticles on RPVC were investigated, and the synergistic effect of modified nanoparticles with chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) was also studied. The results showed that in the presence of nano‐CaCO₃ particles, the in situ emulsion polymerization of acrylates was carried out smoothly, and polyacrylates successfully encapsulated on the surface of nano‐CaCO₃ to prepare the modified nanoparticles, breaking down nano‐CaCO₃ particle agglomerates, improving their dispersion in the matrix, and also increasing the particle–matrix interfacial adhesion. Thus, the effects of the reinforcement and toughening of these modified nanoparticles on RPVC were very significant, and the cooperative effect of the nanoparticles with CPE occurred in the united modification system. Scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that large‐fiber drawing and network morphologies coexisted in the system of joint modification of nanoparticles with CPE. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3940–3949, 2007     

Nanocomposite materials based on isosorbide methacrylate/Cloisite 20A

This paper reports experiments on grafting of a new polymerizable monomer onto organophilic montmorillonite. The monomer, 5‐methacryloyloxy‐1,4:36‐D ‐anhydrosorbitol (MAS), was synthesized by reacting methacryloyl chloride and isosorbide in the presence of Et₃N as base. Then, Cloisite 20A was reacted with vinyltrichlorosilane to replace the edge hydroxyl groups of the clay with a vinyl moiety. Because the reaction liberates HCl, it was performed in the presence of sodium hydrogen carbonate to prevent the exchange of quaternary alkylammonium cations with H⁺ ions. Only the silanol groups on the edge of the clay react with vinyltrichlorosilane. After the reaction, the product maintained the same basal spacing as the precursor. The radical polymerization of the product with MAS as a vinyl monomer led to chemical grafting of the polymer onto the montmorillonite surface. The homopolymer formed during polymerization was separated from the grafted organoclay by Soxhlet extraction. Chemical grafting of the polymer onto Cloisite 20A was confirmed using infrared spectroscopy. The prepared nanocomposite materials and the grafted nanoparticles were studied using X‐ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Exfoliated nanocomposite was obtained for 1 wt% clay loadings. The nanocomposites were studied using thermogravimetric and dynamic mechanical analyses. Improved thermal properties were observed for nanocomposites with 1–5 wt% clay content. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry