Corrosion protective poly(o-ethoxyaniline) coatings on copper

Poly(o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA) coatings were synthesized on copper (Cu) by electrochemical polymerization of o-ethoxyaniline in aqueous salicylate solution by using cyclic voltammetry. These coatings were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The performance of POEA as protective coating against corrosion of Cu in aqueous 3% NaCl was assessed by the potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results of the potentiodynamic polarization and EIS studies demonstrate that the POEA coating has ability to protect the Cu against corrosion. The corrosion potential was about 0.330 V versus SCE more positive in aqueous 3% NaCl for the POEA coated Cu than that of uncoated Cu and reduces the corrosion rate of Cu almost by a factor of 140.     

Enhancement of corrosion protection effect of poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) by the incorporation of nanolayers of montmorillonite clay into copolymer matrix

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consisted of poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (PSAN) and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay were successfully prepared by effectively dispersing the inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay into the organic PSAN matrix by a conventional in situ thermal polymerization. First of all, organic styrene and AN monomers at a specific feeding ratio were simultaneously intercalated into the interlayer regions of organophilic clay hosts and followed by a typical free‐radical polymerization with benzyl peroxide as initiator. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were subsequently characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The as‐prepared PCN materials, in the form of coatings, incorporated with low clay loading (e.g., 1 wt %) on cold‐rolled steel, were found to be much superior in corrosion protection over those of bulk PSAN based on a series of standard electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance, and corrosion current in 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. Molecular weights of PSAN extracted from PCN materials and bulk PSAN were determined by gel permeation chromatography with THF as eluant. Effects of the material composition on the molecular barrier and thermal stability of PSAN along with PCN materials, in the form of both membrane and fine powder, were also studied by molecular permeability analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2269–2277, 2004     

Comparative studies of the properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization and solution dispersion

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials consisting of organic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and inorganic montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets were prepared successfully by the effective dispersion of nanolayers of the MMT clay in the PMMA framework through both in situ emulsion polymerization and solution dispersion. The as‐prepared PCN materials obtained with both approaches were subsequently characterized with wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. For a comparison of the anticorrosion performance, a PCN material (e.g., 3 wt % clay loading) prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization, showing better dispersion of the clay platelets in the polymer matrix, exhibited better corrosion protection in the form of a coating on a cold‐rolled steel coupon than that prepared by solution dispersion, which showed a poor dispersion of the clay nanolayers according to a series of electrochemical corrosion measurements. Comparative studies of the optical clarity, molecular barrier properties, and thermal stability of samples prepared in both ways, as membranes and fine powders, were also performed with ultraviolet–visible transmission spectroscopy, molecular permeability analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1936–1946, 2004     

Structure and properties of poly(o‐methoxyaniline)–clay nanocomposite materials

In this study, we prepared a series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consisted of an emeraldine base of poly(o‐methoxyaniline) and layered montmorillonite. Organic o‐methoxyaniline monomers were first intercalated into the interlayer regions of organophilic clay hosts followed by a one‐step in situ oxidative polymerization. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were subsequently characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The molecular weights of PMA extracted from PCN materials and bulk PMA were determined by GPC with THF as eluant. Effects of the material composition on the thermal stability, flame resistance, electrical conductivity, and corrosion inhibition performance of PMA, along with a series of PCN materials in the form of fine powder and coating, were also studied by TGA, limiting oxygen index measurements, four‐point probe technique, and electrochemical corrosion measurements, respectively. Morphological images of as‐synthesized materials were also investigated by SEM. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1072–1080, 2003     

Preparation and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)-clay nanocomposite materials

A series of polymer-clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consist of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay are prepared by effectively dispersing the inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay in organic PVA matrix via an in situ free radical polymerization with AIBN as initiator. Organic vinyl acetate monomers are first intercalated into the interlayer regions of organophilic clay hosts and followed by a one-step free radical polymerization. The prepared poly(vinyl acetate)-clay (PVAc-clay) solution are then saponified via direct-hydrolysis with NaOH solution to form PVA-clay nanocomposite materials. The as-synthesized PCN materials are typically characterized by Fourier-Transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.The molecular weights of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) extracted from polymer-clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials and bulk PVA are determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis with THF as eluant. The viscosity property of PCN materials with different feeding amount of MMT clay is studied by an ubbelohode capillary viscometer. The morphological image of as-synthesized materials is studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical polarizing microscope (OPM). Effects of the material composition on the thermal stability, mechanical strength, optical clarity of PVA along with a series of PCN materials, in the form of fine powder and free-standing film, are also studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and UV-visible transmission spectra, respectively.     

Comparative studies on the corrosion protection effect of DBSA-doped polyaniline prepared from in situ emulsion polymerization in the presence of hydrophilic Na-MMT and organophilic organo-MMT clay platelets

A series of polyaniline (PANI)/Na⁺-montmorillonite (MMT) clay and PANI/organo-MMT nanocomposite materials have been successfully prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization in the presence of inorganic nanolayers of hydrophilic Na⁺-MMT clay or organophilic organo-MMT clay with DBSA and KPS as surfactant and initiator, respectively. The as-synthesized Na⁺-PCN and organo-PCN materials were characterized and compared by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Na⁺-PCN materials in the form of coatings with low loading of Na⁺-MMT clay (e.g., 3 wt.%, CLAN3) on cold-rolled steel (CRS) were found much superior in corrosion protection over those of organo-PCN materials with same clay loading based on a series of electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance, corrosion current and impedance spectroscopy in 5 wt.% aqueous NaCl electrolyte. The molecular weights of PANI extracted from PCN materials and neat PANI were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with NMP as eluant. Effects of material composition on the gas permeability, optical properties and electrical conductivity of neat PANI and a series of PCN materials, in the form of free-standing film, solution and powder-pressed pellet, were also studied by gas permeability analyzer (GPA), ultraviolet-vis spectra and four-point probe technique, respectively.     

Interaction mechanism of poly (o-ethoxyaniline) and collagen blends

Blend films of poly (o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA) and collagen were fabricated by casting under optimized conditions and characterized by Raman scattering and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies. The UV-vis spectra showed that the addition of collagen in the aqueous solution of POEA promotes a dedoping of the POEA. This effect was also observed for the blend films as supported by Raman scattering and a mechanism for the chemical interaction between POEA-collagen is proposed. The influences of different percentage of collagen as well as the pH of stock solutions during the fabrication process of the blend films were also investigated. It was found that the preparation method plays an important role in the flexibility and freestanding properties of the films. Complementary, the surface morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy and the conductivity by dc measurements.     

Fracture behavior of nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomers

The fracture behavior of nanocomposites formed from an organoclay, based on montmorillonite (MMT), and a poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer prepared by melt compounding was investigated using an instrumented impact test. The data were analyzed using the essential work of fracture (EWF) methodology. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the clay platelets were well-exfoliated in this matrix. The fracture energy of these nanocomposites increased with organoclay addition at low concentrations but decreased with further increase in organoclay concentration with a maximum between 2 and 3 wt% MMT. The initial increase in fracture energy is a result of the higher forces during loading caused by the increase in modulus and yield stress upon addition of clay; however, the fracture energy eventually decreases with further addition of clay owing to the continuous decrease in ductility or deflection during testing. The EWF of fracture analysis showed that the energy per unit area of crack surface formed exhibits a maximum at 2-3 wt% MMT while the energy dissipated per unit volume in the surrounding process zone decreases monotonically for all clay loadings with a transition from ductile to brittle behavior occurring at 7-8 wt% MMT.     

Comparatively electrochemical studies at different operational temperatures for the effect of nanoclay platelets on the anticorrosion efficiency of DBSA-doped polyaniline/Na-MMT clay nanocomposite coatings

In this paper, DBSA-doped polyaniline (PANI)/Na⁺-montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials have been successfully prepared with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) as emulsifier and dopant for the emulsion polymerization of aniline. The as-prepared DBSA-doped samples were subsequently characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, WAXRD patterns and TEM. It should be noted that the nanocomposite coating containing 1 wt.% of clay loading was found to exhibit an observable enhanced corrosion protection on cold-rolled steel (CRS) electrode at higher operational temperature of 50 °C, which was even better than that of uncoated and electrode-coated with PANI alone at room temperature of 30 °C based on the electrochemical parameter evaluations (e.g., E_corr, R_p, I_corr, R_corr and impedance). In this work, all electrochemical measurements were performed at a double-wall jacketed cell, covered with a glass plate, through which water was circulated from a thermostat to maintain a constant operational temperature of 30, 40 and 50 ± 0.5 °C. Moreover, a series of electrochemical parameters shown in Tafel, Nyquist and Bode plots were all used to evaluate PCN coatings at three different operational temperatures in 5 wt.% aqueous NaCl electrolyte. Effect of material composition on the molecular weight and optical properties of neat PANI and PCN materials, in the form of solution, were studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and UV-vis spectra, respectively. Finally, electrical conductivity at three different operational temperatures of PANI and PCN powder-pressed pellets doped with different inorganic acids such as HCl, HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ was also investigated through the measurements of standard four-point-probe technique.     

Effective enhancement of anticorrosive properties of polystyrene by polystyrene–clay nanocomposite materials

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials consisting of polystyrene (PS) and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay was prepared by effectively dispersing the inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay in the organic PS matrix via in situ thermal polymerization. Organic styrene monomers were first intercalated into the interlayer regions of organophilic clay hosts, followed by a typical free radical polymerization with BPO as the initiator. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PCN coatings with low clay loading (1 wt %) on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) were found to be superior in anticorrosion to those of bulk PS, based on a series of electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance and corrosion current in a 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. The molecular weights of PS extracted from PCN materials and bulk PS were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the eluent. The effects of material composition on molecular barrier and thermal stability of PS and PCN materials, in the form of both free‐standing films and fine powders, were also studied by molecular permeability analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1970–1976, 2004     

Preparation and properties of heterocyclically conjugated poly(3‐hexylthiophene)–clay nanocomposite materials

A series of heterocyclically conjugated polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consisted of organic poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and inorganic montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization with FeCl₃ as an oxidant. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (WAXRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of the material composition on the anticorrosion, gas barrier, thermal stability, flammability, mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity properties of the P3HT and PCN materials were studied by electrochemical corrosion measurements, gas‐permeability analysis (GPA), thermogrametric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a four‐point probe technique, respectively. The molecular weights of extracted and bulk P3HT were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with THF as an eluant. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3438–3446, 2004     

Impedance spectroscopy of oxidized polyaniline and poly(o-ethoxyaniline) thin film modified Pt electrodes

Impedance spectra of potentiodynamically formed polyaniline (PANI) and poly(o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA), thin film modified Pt electrodes measured at potentials of conductive, emeraldine form in H₂SO₄ electrolyte solution were reported. Specific features of spectra obtained for films of different voltammetric charge densities were modelled and interpreted according to “homogeneous” and “distributed” impedance models. The values of charging capacitances of different PANI and POEA films were found independent of the model used. Charging of polymer films was in terms of both models controlled by charge transport processes being ion diffusion and migration in the first case, and polymer film and ionic conductivities in the second case. Distortion from Warburg-like response observed for both polymer films was explained by either differences in relaxation times of diffusion and migration processes, or by impedance of ionic channels with “anomalous” frequency dispersion. There were some discrepancies between theories and results suggesting that “homogeneous” model was more appropriate for POEA films while “distributed” model was more appropriate for PANI films, at least if both films were formed and measured in presently described conditions.     

Poly(o-ethylaniline) coatings for stainless steel protection

The poly(o-ethylaniline) coatings were electrochemically synthesized on 304-stainless steel by using cyclic voltammetry from an aqueous salicylate medium. Cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize these coatings, which indicates that the aqueous salicylate solution is a suitable medium for the electrochemical polymerization of o-ethyaniline on 304-stainless steel. The performance of poly(o-ethylaniline) as protective coating against corrosion of 304-stainless steel in aqueous 3% NaCl was evaluated by the open circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization technique, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of the potentiodynamic polarization and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization demonstrate that the poly(o-ethylaniline) coating provides excellent protection to both localized and general corrosion of 304-stainless steel. The corrosion potential was about 0.190 V more positive in aqueous 3% NaCl for the poly(o-ethylaniline) coated steel than that of bare steel and reduces the corrosion rate of steel almost by a factor of 20.     

Enhanced corrosion prevention effect of polysulfone–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by solution dispersion

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials containing polysulfone (PSF) and layered MMT clay were successfully prepared by effectively dispersing inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay in an organic PSF matrix via a solution dispersion technique. The synthesized PCN materials were subsequently investigated with a series of characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared PCN coatings with low clay loading (1 wt %) on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) were found to be superior in corrosion prevention to those of bulk PSF, based on a series of electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance, corrosion current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. The effects of material composition on the molecular barrier, mechanical strength and optical clarity of PSF and PCN materials, in the form of membranes, was also studied by molecular permeability analysis (GPA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and UV‐Visible transmission spectra, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 631–637, 2004     

Photosensitive poly(benzoxazole) based on precursor from diphenyl isophthalate and bis(o-aminophenol)

A new synthetic method for the preparation of poly(benzoxazole) (PBO) precursor, poly(o-hydroxyamide) (7) from bis(o-aminophenol) (5) and diphenyl isophthalate (6) has been developed. Polymer 7 was prepared by the polycondensation of 5 and 6 in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) at 185-205 °C. Model reactions were carried out in detail to elucidate appropriate conditions for the formation of 2-hydroxybenzanilide (3) from o-aminophenol (1) and phenyl benzoate (2). The photosensitive (PBO) precursor based on polymer 7 containing a 22% of benzoxazole unit and 30 wt% 1-{1,1-bis[4-(2-diazo-1-(2H)naphthalenone-5-sulfonyloxy)phenyl]ethyl}-4-{1-[4-(2-diazo-1(2H)naphthalenone-5-sulfonyloxy)phenyl]methylethyl}benzene (S-DNQ) showed a sensitivity of 110 mJ cm⁻² and a contrast of 5.0 when it was exposed to 436 nm light followed by developing with a 2.38 wt% aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution at room temperature. A fine positive image featuring 8 μm line and space patterns was observed on the film of the photoresist exposed to 200 mJ cm⁻² of UV-light at 436 nm by the contact mode.     

Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by photoinitiated polymerization with triarylsulfonium salt initiator

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consist of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PNVC) and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay are prepared by effectively dispersing the inorganic nanolayers of MMT in an organic PNVC matrix via in situ photoinitiated polymerization with triarylsulfonium salt as the initiator. Organic NVC monomers are first intercalated into the interlayer regions of the organophilic clay hosts, followed by one‐step UV‐radiation polymerization. The as‐synthesized PCN materials are typically characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The molecular weights of PNVCs extracted from the PCN materials and the bulk PNVC are determined by gel permeation chromatography analysis with tetrahydrofuran as the eluant. The morphological image of the synthesized materials is observed by an optical polarizing microscope. The effects of the material composition on the optical properties and thermal stability of PNVCs and a series of PCN materials (solution and fine powder) are also studied by UV–visible absorption spectra measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1904–1912, 2004     

Synthesis and dielectric properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)–clay nanocomposite materials

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials were synthesized through in situ intercalative polymerization. A cationic surfactant, [2(dimethylamino)ethyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide, was used as an intercalating agent with pristine Na⁺‐montmorillonite (MMT). The synthesized PCN materials were subsequently investigated by a series of characterization techniques, including wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Compared to pure PMMA, the PCN materials exhibit higher thermal degradation temperatures and glass‐transition temperatures. The dielectric properties of PCN blending with a commercial PMMA material in film form with clay loading from 0.5 to 5.0 wt % were measured under frequencies of 100 Hz–1 MHz at 35–100°C. Significantly depressed dielectric constants and losses were observed for these PCN‐blending materials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2175–2181, 2005     

Potentiodynamic deposition of poly (o-anisidine-co-metanilic acid) on mild steel and its application as corrosion inhibitor

For the first time, poly (o-anisidine-co-metanilic acid) (PASM) was deposited on mild steel substrate by electrochemical polymerization of o-anisidine and metanilic acid monomers in aqueous solution of 0.1 M H₂SO₄. The electrochemical polymerization of o-anisidine takes place in the presence of metanilic acid monomer and uniform, strongly adherent coating was obtained on the substrate. The electroactivity of copolymer was studied by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance techniques. There is an increasing anodic current due to oxidation of metanilic acid monomer at the surface of the electrode when the applied potential is cycled from −0.2 V to 0.8 V. These deposits were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-vis and TG/DTA techniques. The effect of various concentrations of PASM copolymer solution in acid rain corrosive media has been studied through potentiodynamic polarization, AC impedance and I-E curve methods. The soluble form of polymeric solution provided better anti-corrosive behavior in artificial acid rain solution.     

Enhanced corrosion protection coatings prepared from soluble electronically conductive polypyrrole‐clay nanocomposite materials

A series of electronically conductive nanocomposite materials that consisted of soluble polypyrrole (PPY) and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets were prepared by effectively dispersing the inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay in organic PPY matrix via an in situ oxidative polymerization with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) as dopant. Organic pyrrole monomers were first intercalated into the interlayer regions of organophilic clay hosts and followed by a one‐step oxidative polymerization. The as‐synthesized electronically conductive polypyrrole–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials were then characterized by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PCNs in the form of coatings with low clay loading (e.g., 1.0 wt %) on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) were found to exhibit much better in corrosion protection over those of pristine PPY based on a series of electrochemical measurements including corrosion potential, polarization resistance, and corrosion current in 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. Effects of the material composition on the thermal stability, optical properties, and electrical conductivity of pristine PPY along with PCN materials, in the form of fine powder, powder‐pressed pellet, and solution, were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV‐visible absorption spectra, and four‐point probe technique, respectively. The viscosity of PPY existed in PCN materials and pristine PPY were determined by viscometric analysis with m‐cresol as solvent. The heterogeneous nucleating effect of MMT clay platelets in PPY matrix was studied by wide‐angle powder XRD. The corresponding morphological images of the nucleating behavior of clay platelets in PPY matrix were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3264–3272, 2003     

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)/organo-montmorillonite clays nanocomposite lithium polymer electrolytes

Polymer-clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials were prepared by intercalation of an alkyl-ammonium ion spacing/coupling agent and a polymer between the planar layers of a swellable-layered material, such as montmorillonite (MMT). The nanocomposite lithium polymer electrolytes comprising such PCN materials and/or a dielectric solution (propylene carbonate) were prepared and discussed. The chemical composition of the nanocomposite materials was determined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which revealed that the alkyl-ammonium ion successfully intercalated the layer of MMT clay, and thus copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) entered the galleries of montmorillonite clay. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to investigate the electrochemical properties of the lithium polymer electrolyte. Equivalent circuits were proposed to fit the EIS data successfully, and the significant contribution from MMT was thus identified. The resulting polymer electrolytes show high ionic conductivity up to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ after gelling with propylene carbonate. The PCN materials exhibit good electrochemical stability and could be potentially used in lithium secondary battery.