| Abstract: | Film formation from surfactant‐free polystyrene (PS) latex was performed in the presence of 5% Na‐montmorillonite (NaMMT). The composite films were prepared from pyrene (P)‐labeled PS particles at room temperature and annealed at elevated temperatures above the glass‐transition (Tg) temperature of polystyrene. Scattered light (Is) and fluorescence intensity (IP) from P were measured after each annealing step to monitor the stages of composite film formation. Minimum film formation temperature, T0, and healing temperatures, Th, were determined. Void closure and interdiffusion stages were modeled and related activation energies were measured. From these results, it was found that the presence of NaMMT in the PS latex film only affects the minimum film formation, but does not affect the void closure and backbone motion activities. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:299–308, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers |
