Partial delamination of the organo-montmorillonite with surfactant containing hydroxyl groups in maleated poly(propylene carbonate)

Maleated poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC-MA)/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites were first prepared via melt end-capping poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) with maleic anhydride (MA) and melt-mixing the PPC-MA with commercial OMMT without and with hydroxyl groups in surfactants: Cloisite 20A (C20A) and Cloisite 30B (C30B), respectively. Intercalated and partially delaminated morphologies were corroborated via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that PPC-MA was evidently reinforced by the partially delaminated C30B platelets. From XRD patterns of statically annealed PPC-MA/C20A and PPC-MA/C30B mixtures and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results of equivalent nanocomposites, partial delamination of C30B in PPC-MA was confirmed to be relevant to diffusion of PPC-MA molecular chains in C30B galleries, grafting of PPC-MA to C30B platelet surfaces and further separation of C30B platelets.     

Solid‐state mechanical properties of polypropylene/nylon 6/clay nanocomposites

The mechanical and thermomechanical properties as well as microstructures of polypropylene/nylon 6/clay nanocomposites prepared by varying the loading of PP‐MA compatibilizer and organoclay (OMMT) were investigated. The compatibilizer PP‐MA was used to improve the adhesion between the phases of polymers and the dispersion of OMMT in polymer matrix. Improvement of interfacial adhesion between the PP and PA6 phases occurred after the addition of PP‐MA as confirmed by SEM micrographs. Moreover, as shown by the DSC thermograms and XRD results, the degree of crystallinity of PA6 decreased in the presence of PP‐MA. The presence of OMMT increased the tensile modulus as a function of OMMT loading due to the good dispersion of OMMT in the matrix. The insertion of polymer chains between clay platelets was verified by both XRD and TEM techniques. The viscosity of the nanocomposites decreased as PP‐MA loading increased due to the change in sizes of PA6 dispersed phase, and the viscosity increased as OMMT loading increased due to the interaction between the clay platelets and polymer chains. The clay platelets were located at the interface between PP and PA6 as confirmed by both SEM and TEM. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Electrical and mechanical properties of partially bio-based PP/PBS blends nanocomposites elaborated by twin-screw extrusion

Organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT, Cloisite 20) was used as reinforcing filler to prepare nanocomposites from a blend of polypropylene (PP) and eco-friendly degradable polybutylene succinate (PBS). A PP grafted with maleic anhydride was also added as a compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy observations indicated that the blend morphology was affected by the presence of OMMT, which acted as a compatibilizer between PP and PBS. Rheological measurements showed a significant increase of the complex viscosity when OMMT was added above a certain amount. X-ray diffraction indicated an intercalated structure for all nanocomposites. The addition of OMMT improved mechanical properties of neat matrices and blends. The electrical insulation properties were preserved for low concentrations of OMMT, up to 2 wt%. Then, to guarantee good mechanical properties without deteriorating electrical ones, while maintaining a sufficient bio-based composition, the 70/30 (PP/PBS) blend with clay concentrations of less than 2 wt% appeared to be the most satisfactory nanocomposite for applications in the field of electrical insulation.     

Water absorption and hygrothermal aging study on organomontmorillonite reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

The water absorption and hygrothermal aging behavior of organomontmorillonite (OMMT) reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP ratio = 70/30), with and without maleated PP (MAH‐g‐PP), was studied at three different temperatures (30, 60, and 90°C). The water absorption and hygrothermal aging response of the composites was studied and analyzed by tensile tests and morphology assessment (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), indicating the effect of the immersion temperature, OMMT, and MAH‐g‐PP compatibilizer. The mathematical treatment used in analyzing the data was the single free phase model of diffusion, which assumed Fickian diffusion and utilized Fick's second law of diffusion. The kinetics of water absorption of the PA6/PP nanocomposites conformed to Fickian law behavior, whereby the initial moisture absorption follows a linear relationship between the percentage gain at any time t and t^1/2 (the square root of time), followed by saturation. It was found that the equilibrium moisture content and the diffusion coefficient are dependent on the OMMT loading, MAH‐g‐PP concentration, and immersion temperatures. Both the tensile modulus and strength of the PA6/PP nanocomposites deteriorated after being exposed to hygrothermal aging. MAH‐g‐PP acted as a good compatibilizer for PA6/PP/OMMT nanocomposites, which was attributed to its higher retention ability in modulus and strength (in the wet and redried states), lower equilibrium moisture content, and reduced water diffusivity of the nanocomposites. Morphological sketches for both uncompatibilized and MAH‐g‐PP compatibilized PA6/PP/OMMT nanocomposites, toward water uptake are proposed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 780–790, 2005     

Structural analysis of multicomponent nanoclay-containing polymer blends through simple model systems

A systematic approach was adopted to study multicomponent clay-containing nanocomposites using compatibilized and non-compatibilized blends of polyamide 6 (PA6)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS) and their organoclay (OMMT) nanocomposites. For this purpose PA6/styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) based blends and nanocomposites were selected as simple model systems. In this way the role of each component of the systems, especially the clay, compatibilizer, and polybutadiene fraction on the formation of intercalated or exfoliated OMMT structures as well as resulting dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) could be elucidated. Structural analysis of the model systems using theoretical approach, and X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and DMA revealed that the most crucial factor in controlling the morphology and achieving different levels of dispersion is the extent of interaction between clay and the polymer matrix. Morphological analysis revealed that the OMMT layers were dispersed and exfoliated largely in the PA6 phase but, some were also accumulated at the rubber particle surface which remained non-intercalated. The effect of a compatibilizer on the dispersion of OMMT was not completely clear. The SAN based nanocomposites containing PA6 showed fully exfoliated OMMT structures, whereas the ABS based nanocomposites, having an additional rubber fraction, showed a mixed exfoliated and also partly non-intercalated morphology. The OMMT did not change the general occurrence of the co-continuous structures but refined the structures and led to mechanical stiffening as indicated by the DMA results. A correlation was established between the changes in the morphological states and the DMA properties.     

聚酰胺6/环氧树脂改性蒙脱土纳米复合材料的制备与性能

采用环氧树脂改性蒙脱土（MMT）得到有机化蒙脱土（OMMT）,再用熔融插层法制备了聚酰胺6 （PA6）/ OMMT纳米复合材料。采用X射线衍射仪、透射电子显微镜、万能材料试验机、热重分析仪等研究了PA6/OMMT复合材料的形态结构、力学性能和热稳定性。结果表明,经环氧树脂改性得到的OMMT的层间距明显增加,从未改性的1.22 nm增加到5.13 nm,并以纳米尺度分散于PA6基体中;随着OMMT含量的增加,PA6/ OMMT复合材料的强度和模量增加,热变形温度提高,其拉伸强度可达76 MPa,弯曲模量达到3.462 GPa,热变形温度为134 ℃;PA6/ OMMT复合材料失重10 %时的温度为422 ℃,比纯PA6的406 ℃提高了16 ℃,改善了PA6的热稳定性。     

Dispersion characteristics and rheology of organoclay nanocomposites based on a segmented main-chain liquid-crystalline polymer having side-chain azopyridine with flexible spacer

The dispersion characteristics and rheology of organoclay nanocomposites based on a main-chain liquid-crystalline polymer having side-chain azopyridine with flexible spacer (PABP) were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and oscillatory shear rheometry. In the preparation of nanocomposites via solution blending under vigorous stirring, two commercial organoclays (Southern Clay Products) were employed: one (Cloisite 30B) treated with a surfactant (MT2EtOH) having hydroxyl groups, and the other (Cloisite 20A) treated with a nonpolar surfactant (2M2HT) having hydrogenated tallow. Also prepared, for comparison, were nanocomposites prepared by mixing PABP with natural clay (montmorillonite, MMT). The following observations were made. (i) PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite has featureless XRD patterns and a very high degree of dispersion of Cloisite 30B aggregates as determined from TEM. (ii) PABP/Cloisite 20A nanocomposite has shown a conspicuous XRD reflection peak and intercalation of Cloisite 20A aggregates as determined from TEM. (iii) PABP/MMT nanocomposite has shown XRD patterns, which are virtually the same as the XRD patterns of neat PABP with a slightly increased gallery distance, and it has very poor dispersion of MMT aggregates in the matrix of PABP. The observed high degree of dispersion of Cloisite 30B aggregates in PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite is attributable to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the pyridyl group of side-chain azopyridine and the hydroxyl groups in the surfactant MT2EtOH residing at the surface of Cloisite 30B. The presence of hydrogen bonds in the PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite was confirmed by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was observed via polarized optical microscopy that the liquid crystallinity of PABP in the PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposites was more or less intact with a very high degree of dispersion of Cloisite 30B aggregates. Oscillatory shear flow measurements of the organoclay nanocomposites prepared support the conclusions drawn from XRD, TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy.     

Effect of Clay Types on the Mechanical,Dynamic Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Polypropylene Nanocomposites

In the present investigation Polypropylene–Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene–organically modified MMT (PP-MAPP-OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. The effect of clay chemistry and compatibilizer on the properties of the nanocomposites has been studied. Sodium montmorillonite has been organically modified using quaternary and alkyl amine intercalants. A comparative account with commercial quaternary ammonium modified clays i.e Cloisite 20A, Cloisite 15A and Cloisite 30B has been presented. Storage modulus of PP matrix also increased in the nanocomposites, indicating an increase in the stiffness of the matrix polymer with the addition of organically modified nanoclays. The morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Morphological findings revealed efficient dispersion of organically modified nanoclays within the PP matrix. MAPP compatibilized PP/Cloisite 15A nanocomposites displayed finely dispersed exfoliated nanomorphology as compared with other systems.     

OMMT对PE-HD/PA6合金的结晶性能和相容性的影响

研究了不同含量的有机蒙脱土（OMMT）对高密度聚乙烯/聚酰胺6（PE-HD/PA6）合金的结晶性能和微观结构的影响。X射线衍射和差示扫描量热仪分析表明,随着OMMT的含量的增加,PA6倾向于生成γ晶型;扫描电镜分析表明,对于PE-HD/PA6合金,PA6以球状分散在PE-HD基体中,相尺寸直径较大,为30~40 μm;添加OMMT后,PA6分子链的极性基团可以与OMMT层间表面产生强的相互作用,使得大分子链在熔融过程中进入OMMT层间,得到PE-HD/PA6/OMMT纳米复合材料。当添加3份OMMT后,复合材料中分散相PA6的相尺寸降低至10 μm,尺寸分布均匀,说明OMMT起到了相容剂的作用。同时,适量的OMMT提高了PE-HD/PA6合金对有机溶剂的阻透性。     

Transmission electron microscopy study of room temperature cured PMMA grafted natural rubber toughened epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposite

Abstract

A morphological study was conducted on ternary systems containing epoxy, poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted natural rubber and organic chemically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 30B), using TEM. The following four materials were prepared at room temperature: cured unmodified epoxy, cured toughened epoxy, cured unmodified epoxy/Cloisite 30B nanocomposites and cured toughened epoxy/Cloisite 30B nanocomposites. Mixing process was performed by mechanical stirring. Poly(etheramine) was used as the curing agent. The detailed TEM images revealed cocontinuous and dispersed spherical rubber in the epoxy–rubber blend, suggesting a new proposed mechanism of phase separation. High magnification TEM analysis showed good interactions between rubber and Cloisite 30B in the ternary system. In addition, it was found that rubber particles could enhance the separation of silicate layers.     

Impact modification of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene blend nanocomposites: Fabrication and characterization

A poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/polypropylene (PP) blend and the nanocomposites were prepared with and without the addition of a compatibilizer precursor [maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP)]. A reactive route was used for the compatibilization with the addition of MAPP during melt blending in a batch mixer. Organically modified nanoclays were used as nanoscale reinforcements to prepare the blend nanocomposites. Mechanical tests revealed optimum performance characteristics at a PTT/PP blend ratio of 80 : 20. Furthermore, incorporation of nanoclays up to 3 wt % showed a higher impact strength and higher tensile strength and modulus in the blend nanocomposites compared to the optimized blend. The nanocomposite formation was established through X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal measurements were carried out with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC thermograms revealed an increase in the crystallization temperature in the presence of the nanoclays in the blend system containing Cloisite 30B. TGA thermograms also indicated that the thermal stability of blend increased with the incorporation of Cloisite 30B. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis measurements showed that the Cloisite 30B nanocomposite had the maximum modulus compared to other nanocomposites. TEM micrographs confirmed an intercalated morphology in the blend nanocomposites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effects of epoxy treatment of organoclay on structure, thermo-mechanical and transport properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene naphthalate)/organoclay nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene naphthalate) (PETN) nanocomposites containing two different organoclays, Cloisite 20A and 30B, were prepared by melt intercalation using an extruder. The organoclays was treated with epoxy monomer to further improve the polar interactions with PETN matrix. The morphological, thermal-mechanical, mechanical and gas barrier characteristics of the nanocomposites were evaluated using several characterization tools. It is found that the Cloisite 30B had better interactions with PETN and was more uniformly dispersed within PETN than Cloisite 20A. Epoxy treatment of Cloisite 30B organoclay resulted in improvements in d-spacing between silicate layers, thermo-mechanical and tensile properties, as well as thermal stability, processing and gas barrier characteristics of the PETN/30B nanocomposites. These results suggest that the epoxy acted as the compatibilizer as well as the chain extender, improving the chemical interactions between PETN and organoclay, while discouraging the macromolecular mobility of polymer chains in the vicinity clay particles. The implications and the mechanisms behind these observations are discussed.     

Structure and properties of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites compatibilized by solid‐phase grafted polypropylene

Polypropylene/organic‐montmorillonite (PP/OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared via a solid‐phase PP graft (TMPP) with a higher grafting level as the compatibilizer. The effects of the compatibilizer on the structure and properties of PP/OMMT nanocomposites were investigated. The structure of the nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that when the weight ratio of TMPP and OMMT is greater than 1:1, the OMMT can be dispersed in PP matrix uniformly at the nanoscale. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites reached a maximum when the weight ratio of TMPP and OMMT is 1:1, although more uniform dispersion was achieved at a higher content of TMPP. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites decrease with the content of TMPP. The crystallization behavior, dynamic rheological property, and thermal stability of the nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic rheological analysis, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Due to the synergistic effects of TMPP and OMMT on the crystallization of PP, the crystallization peak temperature of the nanocomposites increased remarkably compared with that of the neat PP. TMPP shows β‐phase nucleating ability and OMMT promotes the development of β‐phase crystallite. The nanocomposites show restricted melt flow and enhanced temperature sensitivity compared with the neat PP. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites is obviously improved compared with that of the neat PP. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Interfacially compatibilized LDPE/POE blends reinforced with nanoclay: investigation of morphology,rheology and dynamic mechanical properties

Morphological, melt rheological and dynamic mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene–octene copolymer (POE)/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites, prepared via melt compounding were studied. The XRD traces indicated different levels of intercalated structures for the nanocomposites. Addition of a compatibilizer (PE-g-MA) improved the intercalation process. TEM results revealed existence of clay layers in both phases but they were mainly localized in the elastomeric POE phase. Addition of 5 wt% OMMT to the LDPE/POE blend led to reduction in the size of the elastomer particles confirmed by AFM. The complex viscosity and storage modulus showed little effect of the presence of the clay when no compatibilizer was added. As the extent of exfoliation increased with addition of compatibilizer, the linear viscoelastic behavior of the composites gradually changed specially at low-frequency regions. The interfacially compatibilized nanocomposites with 5 wt% OMMT had the highest melt viscosity and modulus among all the studied nanocomposites and blends. Also, this particular composition showed the best improvement in dynamic storage modulus. The results indicated that clay dispersion and interfacial adhesion, and consequently different properties of LDPE/POE/clay nanocomposites, are greatly affected by addition of compatibilizer.     

HDPE/PA 6/有机蒙脱土复合体系的结构及性能

采用熔融共混法制备高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)/聚酰胺(PA)6/有机蒙脱土(OMMT)多元复合材料,借助X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜等分析了OMMT对HDPE/PA 6体系结构、性能的影响及作用机理。加入的少量OMMT以剥离形态分散在基体中,能起到较好的增容作用,并且改善了材料的冲击性能。但OMMT的加入使材料的熔体流动速率降低,剪切黏度增大。     

Investigation on the polyamide 6/organoclay nanocomposites with or without a maleated polyolefin elastomer as a toughener

Polyamide 6 (PA 6)-based nanocomposites were prepared using a melt-mixing technique in this study. One commercial organoclay (denoted 30B) and one maleated polyolefin elastomer (denoted POEMA) served as the reinforcing filler and toughener, respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the nano-scaled dispersion of 30B in the composites. Different mixing sequences presented similar phase morphology for the same formulated nanocomposites. XRD results also revealed that both 30B and POEMA would induce the formation of γ form PA 6 crystal, with 30B exhibiting a higher efficiency. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the addition of 30B altered the crystallization kinetics of PA 6, which was mainly attributed to the prevailing formation of γ form crystal. Complex melting behaviors were observed for neat PA 6 and the nanocomposites. These complex behaviors are associated with different polymorphs and the ‘melting-recrystallization-remelting’ phenomenon. Moderate thermal stability enhancement of PA 6 after adding 30B and/or POEMA was confirmed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The storage modulus, Young's modulus and tensile strength of PA 6 were increased after adding 30B. However, these properties declined after further incorporation of POEMA. The different-processed PA 6/30B/POEMA nanocomposites displayed balanced tensile properties and toughness between those of neat PA 6 and PA 6/30B nanocomposite.     

Effect of clay modification on the morphological,mechanical, and thermal properties of polyamide 6/polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP = 70/30 parts) blends containing 4 phr (parts per hundred resin) of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared by melt compounding. The sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) was modified using three different types of alkyl ammonium salts, namely dodecylamine, 12‐aminolauric acid, and stearylamine. The effect of clay modification on the morphological and mechanical properties of PA6/PP nanocomposites was investigated using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), tensile, flexural, and impact tests. The thermal properties of PA6/PP nanocomposites were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and heat distortion temperature (HDT). XRD and TEM results indicated the formation of exfoliated structure for the PA6/PP nanocomposites prepared using stearylamine modified montmorillonite. On the other hand, a mixture of intercalated and exfoliated structures was found for the PA6/PP nanocomposites prepared using 12‐aminolauric acid and dodecylamine modified montmorillonite. Incorporation of OMMT increased the stiffness but decreased the ductility and toughness of PA6/PP blend. The PA6/PP nanocomposite containing stearylamine modified montmorillonite showed the highest tensile, flexural, and thermal properties among all nanocomposites. This could be attributed to better exfoliated structure in the PA6/PP nanocomposite containing stearylamine modified montmorillonite. The storage modulus and HDT of PA6/PP blend were increased significantly with the incorporation of both Na‐MMT and OMMT. The highest value in both storage modulus and HDT was found in the PA6/PP nanocomposite containing stearylamine modified montmorillonite due to its better exfoliated structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1156–1167, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Phase morphology evolution and compatibilization of immiscible polyamide 6/polystyrene blends using nano‐montmorillonite

Nanocomposites of organic nano‐montmorillonite (nano‐OMMT)‐filled immiscible polyamide 6 (PA6)/polystyrene (PS) blends were prepared by three different processing methods. Masterbatch M1 of OMMT/PA6 and masterbatch M2 of OMMT/PS were prepared as separate masterbatchs by melt mixing with PA6 or PS, and then either mixed together or each mixed individually with appropriate amounts of PS or PA6, respectively. The effects of nano‐OMMT content and processing method on the structure, phase morphology, and mechanical properties of the PA6/PS/OMMT nanocomposites were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties tests. The results showed that the nano‐OMMT by M1 and M2 masterbatches dispersed primarily as exfoliated platelets in the PA6 matrix in the final composites regardless of the method of preparation. A drastic decrease of dispersed PS phase size and a very homogeneous size distribution were observed with the addition of nano‐OMMT. The PA6/PS/OMMT nanocomposites prepared from the M2 displayed the smallest dispersed PS phase size and best distribution of OMMT. The improvement of the mechanical properties of the PA6/PS/OMMT nanocomposites was attributed to the enhanced compatibilization of the immiscible PA6/PS blends by using nano‐OMMT. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and properties of polysulfone–clay composite membranes

Porous membranes and dense films were prepared from polysulfone solutions in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) containing different types and amounts of clay. Commercial clays supplied by Southern Clay, either unmodified (Cloisite Na) or organically modified (Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 93A), were used. The clay behavior in the organic solvent was dependent on the presence and type of the organic compatibilizer: Cloisite containing Na ions did not swell in NMP, whereas those with the organic compatibilizer swelled, though to a different degree. Electron microscopy observations were made to examine the clay dispersion in the membrane structure. At variance with Cloisite Na and Cloisite 93A formed microaggregates, Cloisite 30B yielded nanostructures composed of both single sheets and well‐ordered multilayer silicate clusters, which were characterized by an interlayer distance higher than that of the neat clay. The increase in the distance between the layers of Cloisite 30B was related to the formation of intercalated nanocomposites, whereas the presence of single sheets well distributed in the polymer matrix supported the occurrence of delaminated nanocomposites. The intercalation of the polymer into clay layers was confirmed with wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry. The addition of Cloisite 30B to the casting solution influenced the phase‐separation process in the coagulation bath. Therefore, by the variation of the layered‐silicate concentration in the casting solution, membranes with different morphological structures and ultrafiltration properties were obtained. Cloisite 30B was also found to improve the wettability and mechanical properties of dense films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3637–3644, 2007     

Organoclay localization in polyamide 6/ethylene-butene copolymer grafted maleic anhydride blends: the effect of different types of organoclay

Localization of organoclays between two phases of polyamide 6 (PA6)/maleic anhydride grafted ethylene-butene copolymer (EB-g-MAH) blends, prepared via melt mixing, was investigated as a function of organoclay type. Cloisite 30B, Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 15A were used as different types of organoclay. The influence of different blend compositions and clay contents were also studied. Contact angle measurements have been applied to determine surface tension of components and then to calculate the wetting coefficient which is a useful parameter for prediction of the organoclay location. In general, all organoclays were found to locate in the more hydrophilic polyamide 6 phase. However, for Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 15A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed some organoclay layers in the EB-g-MAH phase. Phase structure and nanocomposite morphology were evaluated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Results indicated the formation of an exfoliated or an intercalated morphology in different samples. Dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis were used as an experimental probe to confirm the location of nanoclays predicted via wetting coefficient. The shifting of glass transition temperature for PA6 phase confirmed that nanoclays are more distributed in this phase.