A Model for Molecular Weight Prediction in Acrylonitrile Polymerization

Poly ethylene terephthalate (PET)-based nanocomposites containing three differently modified clays were prepared by melt compounding. The influence of type of modified clay on surface properties of the resultant nanocomposite was investigated by various analytic techniques, namely, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurement (CAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). Any possible interaction between each nanoclay and PET at the surface was elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy studies of the resultant nanocomposites showed increased in surface roughness compared to pure PET. Contact angle measurements on the resultant PET composites demonstrated that the wettability of such composites depends on hydrophilicity of the nanoclay particles. Scanning electron microscopy images illustrated poor interfacial interaction between PET and Na⁺ clay particles causing fracture type non-uniformity of PET/Na⁺ clay nanocomposite.