Synthesis and properties of polystyrene–clay nanocomposites via in situ intercalative polymerization

Organophilic montmorillonite (MMT) was prepared by ion exchange between Na⁺ ions in the clay and twin benzyldimethyloctadecylammonium bromine cations in an aqueous medium. The organophilic MMT particles were easily dispersed and swollen in styrene monomer. Polystyrene–MMT nanocomposites were prepared by the free‐radical polymerization of styrene containing dispersed clay. The intercalation spacing in the nanocomposites and the degree of dispersion of these composites were investigated with X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The nanocomposites had higher weight‐average molecular weights, lower glass‐transition temperatures, and better thermal stability (the decomposition temperature was improved by ca. 70°C) than the virgin polystyrene. The rheological behavior of the polystyrene–MMT nanocomposites was also studied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 201–207, 2005     

Preparation and characterization of polystyrene–clay nanocomposites by free‐radical polymerization

The polymerizable cationic surfactant, vinylbenzyldimethylethanolammouium chloride (VBDEAC), was synthesized to functionalize montmorillonite (MMT) clay and used to prepare exfoliated polystyrene–clay nanocomposites. The organophilic MMT was prepared by Na⁺ exchanged montmorillonite and ammonium cations of the VBDEAC in an aqueous medium. Polystyrene–clay nanocomposites were prepared by free‐radical polymerization of the styrene containing intercalated organophilic MMT. Dispersion of the intercalated montmorillonite in the polystyrene matrix determined by X‐ray diffraction reveals that the basal spacing is higher than 17.6 nm. These nanocomposites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical properties. The exfoliated nanocomposites have higher thermal stability and better mechanical properties than the pure polystyrene. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1370–1377, 2002     

Thermoplastic elastomeric nanocomposites from poly[styrene–(ethylene‐co‐butylene)–styrene] triblock copolymer and clay: Preparation and characterization

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)–clay nanocomposites based on poly[styrene–(ethylene‐co‐butylene)–styrene] triblock copolymer (SEBS) were prepared. Natural sodium montmorillonite (MMT) clay was organically modified by octadecyl amine to produce an amine‐modified hydrophobic nanoclay (OC). Commercially available Cloisite 20A (CL20) and Cloisite 10A, tallow ammine modified nanoclays, were also used. The intergallery spacing of MMT increased on amine modification as suggested by the shifting of the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) peak from 7.6 to 4.5 and 3.8° in the cases of OC and CL20, respectively. The latter demonstrated no XRD peak when it was used at 2 and 4 parts phr in the SEBS system. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed the intercalation–exfoliation morphology in SEBS containing 4 parts of CL20₄–SEBS, agglomeration in SEBS having 4 parts of MMT, and mixed morphology in SEBS with 4 parts of OC systems. Locations of the clay particles were indicated by the atomic force micrographs. Mechanical and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis studies confirmed the best properties with the CL20₄–SEBS nanocomposites. Significant improvements in mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus, work to break, and elongation at break were achieved with the CL20₄–SEBS in polymer‐layered silicate nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical studies further showed the affinity of the organoclays toward both segments of the TPE and a compatibilization effect with CL20 at a 4‐phr loading. Atomic force microscopy showed distinctly different morphologies in nanocomposites prepared through solution and melt processing. Comparisons of the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and morphological properties of the nanocomposites prepared by melt and solution intercalation processes were done. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2040–2052, 2006     

Polystyrene nanocomposite materials by in situ polymerization into montmorillonite–vinyl monomer interlayers

A different series of new polystyrene–clay nanocomposites have been prepared by grafting polymerization of styrene with vinyl‐montmorillonite (MMT) clay. The synthesis was achieved through two steps. The first step is the modification of clay with the vinyl monomers, such as N,N‐dimethyl‐n‐octadecyl‐4‐vinylbenzyl‐ammonium chloride, n‐octadecyl‐4‐vinylbenzyl‐ammonium chloride, triphenyl‐4‐vinylbenzyl‐phosphonium chloride, and tri‐n‐butyl‐4‐vinylbenzyl‐phosphonium chloride. The second step is the polymerization of styrene with different ratios of vinyl‐MMT clay. The materials produced were characterized by different physical and chemical methods: (1) IR spectra, confirming the intercalation of the vinyl‐cation within the clay interlayers; (2) thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), showing higher thermal stability for PS–nanocomposites than polystyrene (PS) and higher thermal stability of nanocomposites with of phosphonium moieties than nanocomposites with ammonium moieties; (3) swelling measurements in different organic solvents, showing that the swelling degree in hydrophobic solvents increases as the clay ratio decreases; (4) X‐ray diffraction (XRD), illustrating that the nanocomposites were exfoliated at up to a 25 wt % of organoclay content; and (5) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing a complete dispersion of PS into clay galleries. Also, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed nanosize spherical particles of ～ 150–400 nm appearing in the images. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3739–3750, 2007     

Crystallization behavior of nylon 11/montmorillonite nanocomposites under annealing

Exfoliated nylon 11/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization by the dispersion of organically modified MMT in 11‐aminoundecanoic acid monomer. The polymorphic behavior of the nylon 11/MMT nanocomposites was investigated with X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared with attenuated total reflectance. MMT induced and stabilized the δ‐crystalline form of nylon 11. The crystal structure of nylon 11 was transformed from a hexagonal δ‐form structure to a triclinic α‐form structure during the annealing process. Meanwhile, the hydrogen bonds in the nanocomposites also exhibited some differences from neat nylon 11 after annealing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5483–5489, 2006     

Preparation,characterization, and thermal properties of polystyrene‐block‐quaternized poly(4‐vinylpyridine)/Montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) was synthesized by two steps of reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene (St) and 4‐vinylpyridine (4VP) successively. After P4VP block was quaternized with CH₃I, PS‐b‐quaternized P4VP/montmorillonite (PS‐b‐QP4VP/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by cationic exchange reactions of quaternary ammonium ion in the PS‐b‐QP4VP with ions in MMT. The results obtained from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images demonstrate that the block copolymer/MMT nanocomposites are of intercalated and exfoliated structures, and also a small amount of silicates' layers remained in the original structure; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the nanocomposites displayed higher glass transition temperature (T_g) and higher thermal stability than that of the corresponding copolymers. The blending of PS‐b‐QP4VP/MMT with commercial PS makes MMT to be further separated, and the MMT was homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. The enhancement of thermal stability of PS/PS‐b‐QP4VP/MMT is about 20°C in comparison with commercial PS. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:1950–1958, 2006     

Solid‐state graft polymerization of styrene in spherical polypropylene particles in the presence of montmorillonite

In this work, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and methacryloyloxyethyhrimethyl ammonium chloride were used to prepare organophilic montmorillonite (O‐MMT). Then, polypropylene (PP)–clay nanocomposites were prepared by the in situ grafting polymerization of styrene (St)‐containing O‐MMT onto PP with tert‐butyl perbenzoate as an initiator in the solid state. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction were applied to study the structure of the layered silicate and modified PP. The surfaces of the composites and, thus, the distribution of the clay in the PP matrix were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The rheology and mechanical properties were studied and are discussed. According to the characterization results, OMMT and St were already grafted onto the PP main chain. Also, the intercalated structure of montmorillonite could be stabilized, and a stable exfoliated structure could be attained. Namely, intercalated PP/OMMT nanocomposites were obtained. The rheological results clearly show that these PP/OMMT nanocomposites had long‐chain‐branched structures. The peroxide modification of PP had minor effects on the tensile and bending strengths of the modified PP; however, this modification resulted in a significant reduction in the impact strength. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Water absorption behavior of different types of organophilic montmorillonite‐filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

The water absorption behavior of different types of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT)‐filled polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites with and without compatibilizers (maleated PP or PP‐g‐MA and maleated styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene or SEBS‐g‐MA) was evaluated. Four different types of OMMT, i.e., dodecylamine‐modified MMT (D‐MMT), 12 aminolauric acid‐modified MMT (A‐MMT), stearylamine‐modified MMT (S‐MMT), and commercial organo‐MMT (C‐MMT) were used as reinforcement. The water absorption response of the nanocomposites was studied and analyzed by tensile test and morphology assessment by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The kinetics of water absorption of the nanocomposites conforms to Fick's law. The M_m and D are dependent on the types of OMMT and compatibilizers. The equilibrium water content and diffusivity of PA6/PP blend were increased by the addition of OMMT but decreased in the presence of compatibilizers. On water absorption, both strength and stiffness of the nanocomposites were drastically decreased, but the ductility was remarkably increased. Both PP‐g‐MA and SEBS‐g‐MA played an effective role as compatibilizers for the nanocomposites. This was manifested by their higher retention ability in strength and stiffness (in the wet and re‐dried states), reduced the equilibrium water content, and diffusivity of the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure and properties of nanocomposites prepared by directly melt blending ethylene‐co‐vinylacetate and natural montmorillonite

The poly(ethylene‐co‐vinylacetate)/montmorillonite (EVA/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by directly melt blending EVA and natural MMT in the presence of hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide. The interlayer spacing of the silicate layers in EVA/MMT nanocomposites increased within 15 min of the blending time, and then remained unchanged with further increase in the blending time. The tensile and tear strength and Young's modulus of EVA/MMT nanocomposites increased with increasing blending time and reached the maximum value at 15 min, and then decreased. The tensile and tear strength and Young's modulus of EVA/MMT nanocomposites blended at 140°C were lower than those of the nanocomposites blended at 120°C. The thermal stability of EVA/MMT nanocomposites was improved compared with EVA. Furthermore, the thermal stability of EVA/MMT nanocomposites in nitrogen was higher than thermal stability of the nanocomposites in air because of the air destabilized the EVA and speeded up both deacylation and degradation. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:529–532, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and thermal properties of polystyrene/montmorillonite nanocomposites by γ‐ray radiation polymerization

Polystyrene/montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by γ‐ray radiation polymerization. X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed that polystyrene (PS) could be easily inserted between the sheets of montmorillonite (MMT) to form intercalated nanocomposites. In these PS/MMT nanocomposites, the distance between the sheets of MMT was barely influenced by varying the content of the MMT. Thermal stabilities of the samples were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The glass‐transition temperature of PS/MMT nanocomposites was obviously higher than that of the pure PS. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1692–1696, 2003     

Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of polyoxymethylene/montmorillonite nanocomposite

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of polyoxymethylene (POM), polyoxymethylene/Na–montmorillonite (POM/Na–MMT), and polyoxymethylene/organic–montmorillonite (POM/organ–MMT) nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry at various cooling rates. The Avrami analysis modified by Jeziorny and a method developed by Mo were employed to describe the nonisothermal crystallization process of POM/Na–MMT and POM/organ–MMT nanocomposites. The difference in the values of the exponent n between POM and POM/montmorillonite nanocomposites suggests that the nonisothermal crystallization of POM/Na–MMT and POM/organ–MMT nanocomposites corresponds to a tridimensional growth with heterogeneous nucleation. The values of half‐time and the parameter Z_c, which characterizes the kinetics of nonisothermal crystallization, show that the crystallization rate of either POM/Na–MMT or POM/organ–MMT nanocomposite is faster than that of virgin POM at a given cooling rate. The activation energies were evaluated by the Kissinger method and were 387.0, 330.3, and 328.6 kJ/mol for the nonisothermal crystallization of POM, POM/Na–MMT nanocomposite, and POM/organ–MMT nanocomposite, respectively. POM/montmorillonite nanocomposite can be as easily fabricated as the original polyoxymethylene, considering that the addition of montmorillonite, either Na–montmorillonite or organ–montmorillonite, may accelerate the overall nonisothermal crystallization process. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2281–2289, 2001     

Preparation of exfoliated high‐impact polystyrene/MMT nanocomposites via in situ polymerization under controlling viscosity of the reaction medium

Exfoliated high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization of styrene in the presence of polybutadiene, using an intercalated cationic radical initiator‐MMT hybrid (organoclay). In the solution polymerization in toluene, the silicate layers of the clay were well exfoliated, due to the low extra‐gallery viscosity that can facilitate the diffusion of styrene monomers into the clay layers during the polymerization. The exfoliated HIPS/MMT nanocomposites were also successfully prepared by controlling the viscosity of the reaction medium with prolong swelling of the organoclay in styrene, prior to bulk polymerization. The HIPS/MMT nanocomposites, obtained from bulk polymerization, exhibited a significant improvement in thermal stability, compared to those obtained from solution polymerization as well as the pure polymer counterparts. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)/montmorillonite waterborne nanocomposite via semibatch emulsion polymerization

Poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)‐montmorillonite (MMT) waterborne nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by semibatch emulsion polymerization. The syntheses of the nanocomposites were performed in presence of sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) and organically modified montmorillonite (O‐MMT). O‐MMT was used directly after the modification of Na‐MMT with dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride. Both Na‐MMT and O‐MMT were sonified to obtain nanocomposites with 47 wt % solids and 3 wt % Na‐MMT or O‐MMT content. Average particle sizes of Na‐MMT nanocomposites were measured as 110–150 nm while O‐MMT nanocomposites were measured as 200–350 nm. Both Na‐MMT and O‐MMT increased thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen permeability) of the pristine copolymer explicitly. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope studies show that exfoliated morphology was obtained. The gloss values of O‐MMT nanocomposites were found to be higher than that of the pristine copolymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42373.     

Preparation and characterization of anionically polymerized butadiene‐isoprene copolymer/clay nanocomposites

Butadiene‐isoprene copolymer/montmorillonite (BIR/MMT) nanocomposites were synthesized successfully via in situ anionic polymerization. The results of transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffractometer showed that the clay layers were exfoliated and high reaction temperature benefited the exfoliation of layers in BIR/MMT. The polymerization still exhibited “living” characteristics with the addition of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT). However, the contents of 1,2‐polybutadiene and 3,4‐polyisoprene of the copolymer decreased with the addition of OMMT, because of its absorption effect on N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethanediamine as revealed by ¹H NMR. Moreover, it was observed that the glass‐transition temperature of the BIR/MMT nanocomposites also decreased when compared with the BIR copolymers. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was improved, because of the barrier property of exfoliated clay layers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl PolymSci 102: 1167–1172, 2006     

Intercalation of styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer in layered silicate by emulsion polymerization

A well‐defined styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer/montmorillonite (SAN‐MMT) nanocomposite has been prepared by emulsion copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of sodium ion exchanged montmorillonite (Na⁺‐MMT). This direct and one‐step polymerization technique yielded nanocomposites intercalated with styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer without occurrence of significant delamination of MMT. The purified products by hot tetrahydrofuran extraction for up to 5 days gave evidences of copolymer intercalation. Those infrared spectra obtained from the purified products revealed the characteristic absorbances due to styrene, acrylonitrile, and MMT. Room temperature powder X‐ray diffraction patterns of the purified product exhibited increased 001 d‐spacing about 1.60 nm. The transmission electron microscopy micrograph of unpurified products confirmed that the 1–2‐nm sized silicate layers are arranged in good order. The onset temperature of purified products are found to be moved to higher temperature, while the thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry show nothing observable transition. The modulus of elasticity of the product was increased with increasing content of MMT, whereas the stress at maximum load was decreased with the increments of MMT. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 179–188, 1999     

The effects of metallic derivatives released from montmorillonite on the thermal stability of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/montmorillonite nanocomposites

By in situ polycondensation, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites was prepared, which were characterized via X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The processing stability of these nanocomposites was investigated by the change of number–average molecular weight and carboxyl terminal group content during injection molding, and the thermal stability of the nanocomposites was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that some metallic derivatives released from MMT during polycondensation had a great influence on the processing and thermal stabilities of the nanocomposites. The quantity of these metallic derivatives was determined by inductively coupled plasma. The stabilization effect of phosphorous compounds generated from MMT modified with phosphonium was observed. Processing stability and thermal stability of these nanocomposites exhibited similar trend because of almost the same causes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1692–1699, 2006     

Effect of organic modifiers and silicate type on filler dispersion,thermal, and mechanical properties of ABS‐clay nanocomposites

Acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)–clay composite and intercalated nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing, using Na‐montmorillonite (MMT), several chemically different organically modified MMT (OMMT) and Na‐laponite clays. The polymer–clay hybrids were characterized by WAXD, TEM, DSC, TGA, tensile, and impact tests. Intercalated nanocomposites are formed with organoclays, a composite is obtained with unmodified MMT, and the nanocomposite based on synthetic laponite is almost exfoliated. An unintercalated nanocomposite is formed by one of the organically modified clays, with similar overall stack dispersion as compared to the intercalated nanocomposites. T_g of ABS is unaffected by incorporation of the silicate filler in its matrix upto 4 wt % loading for different aspect ratios and organic modifications. A significant improvement in the onset of thermal decomposition (40–44°C at 4 wt % organoclay) is seen. The Young's modulus shows improvement, the elongation‐at‐break shows reduction, and the tensile strength shows improvement. Notched and unnotched impact strength of the intercalated MMT nanocomposites is lower as compared to that of ABS matrix. However, laponite and overexchanged organomontmorillonite clay lead to improvement in ductility. For the MMT clays, the Young's modulus (E) correlates with the intercalation change in organoclay interlayer separation (Δd₀₀₁) as influenced by the chemistry of the modifier. Although ABS‐laponite composites are exfoliated, the intercalated OMMT‐based nanocomposites show greater improvement in modulus. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and properties of PET/PA6 copolymer/montmorillonite hybrid nanocomposite

From in situ polycondensation, a poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Polyamide 6 copolymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite was prepared, after the treatment of montmorillonite (MMT) with a water soluble polymer. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of DSC, ¹H NMR, and DMA proved that the nanocomposite synthesized was PET/PA6 copolymer/MMT nanocomposite, not the PET/PA6 blend/MMT nanocomposite. The results of XRD and TEM proved that the dispersion of MMT was improved observably after the introduction of PA6 molecular chain into PET. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2512–2517, 2006     

The effect of clay modification on the mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/organomodified montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by in situ suspension polymerization

Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ suspension polymerization. MMT was previously organically modified by different modification agents [dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DODAC) and methacrylatoethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (MTC)] and different modification method (cation‐exchange reaction and grafting reaction), ultimately giving rise to five kinds of organomodified MMT (OMMT). The structure of the OMMT was studied by Wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Meanwhile, the structure of the PMMA/MMT nanocomposites microspheres was also investigated by WAXD. The molecular weight of the polymers extracted from PMMA/MMT nanocomposites was measured by gel permeation chromatograph (GPC). Finally, the mechanical properties of these PMMA/MMT nanocomposites were studied in detail. It was found that large interlayer spacing (d₀₀₁) of OMMT could not entirely ensure an exfoliated structure of resultant PMMA/MMT nanocomposites, while OMMT with relative small d₀₀₁ could still yield exfoliated structure as long as the compatibility between OMMT and polymer matrix was favorable. In addition, the results of mechanical investigation indicated that the compatibility between OMMT and PMMA matrix turned out to be the dominant factor deciding the final mechanical properties of PMMA/MMT nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1705–1714, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A New Type of Dispersant [Sodium Salt of Styrene–Methacrylic Acid Copolymer (SSMA)/Montmorillonite (MMT) Nanocomposite] for Pesticide Water Dispersible Granules

A new type of dispersant [sodium salt of styrene–methacrylic acid copolymer (SSMA)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite] with different content of the MMT was synthesized through in situ solution free radical copolymerization. X‐ray diffraction measurements and electron microscopy observations prove that SSMA molecules can enter the interlayer space of MMT and form an intercalated structure. There are both fully intercalated and partly intercalated structures in the nanocomposites, which are related to the loading content of MMT. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy images indicate that the exfoliation degree of MMT in the nanocomposites decrease with increasing MMT content. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis shows that there are hydrogen‐bonding interactions between carboxyl groups of SSMA and hydroxyl groups of MMT. Atrazine water dispersible granules were prepared by using SSMA/MMT nanocomposite as dispersant and their suspensibility in aqueous solution was determined to evaluate the dispersion properties of the nanocomposite. The results show that the addition of MMT can not only increase the steric effect of the SSMA to improve its dispersion properties, but also reduce the production cost of SSMA. The optimum loading content of MMT is 10 wt%.