Title: One-pot synthesis of PMMA/montmorillonite nanocomposites
Abstract: Abstract This article describes simple preparation methods of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/synthetic montmorillonite nanocomposites by single-step in situ polymerizations. Compatibility between PMMA and the silicate was ensured by an addition of (3-acrylamidepropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (AAPTMA). The work also compares how different synthetic routes, namely emulsion and solution polymerization, affect the structure as well as thermal and mechanical properties of obtained nanocomposites. The results of structural investigations clearly show, that both the techniques lead to intercalated nanocomposites, but emulsion polymerization allows more effective deflocculating and intercalating of the clay with acrylic copolymers. The addition of small amounts of layered silicates causes an increase in thermal stability and stiffness of the materials. It is demonstrated that at 5 wt. % of the filler, the temperature of 10 % weight loss was shifted up by nearly 50 K in comparison to the neat PMMA. In the same sample, the Young’s modulus of the material was found to be increased by 26 %.