Efficient photoinduced in situ preparation of clay/poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposites using hydrogen-donor silane

Abstract

Clay/poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposites (clay/PGMA) were prepared by in situ radical photopolymerization using N,N-dimethylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane(DMA)-modified bentonite clay acting as hydrogen donor for benzophenone in solution. This initiating system permits to photopolymerize glycidyl methacrylate between the lamellae of the DMA-modified clay. The approach provides exfoliated nanocomposites as judged by the measurements of X-ray diffraction. However, a low fraction of persistent intercalated clay regions was visible by transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectra analyses indicate that the nanocomposites have PGMA-rich surface. The clay/PGMA nanocomposites can be readily dispersed in ethanol.