Polymer nanocomposite of Mg-Al hydrotalcite-type anionic clay modified with organosulfate

Abstract

The Mg-Al hydrotalcite (HT) was modified with organosulfate, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) by an anion exchange reaction. The modifier content and the interlayer distance of organo-modified HT (MHT) were examined. The modifier content and d-spacing in HT layers increased up to 45% of AEC and 38.0 Å. Incorporation of the modifier in HT layers at pH 7 was easier than at pH 11, due to the higher concentration of anions in HT layers at pH 11 than at pH 7. Polystyrene(PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) nanocomposites with the MHT were prepared by solution and melt blending, and in situ polymerization; an intercalation and partially exfoliation were obtained together with thin packets of HT layers. The partially exfoliated PMMA/MHT nanocomposites were obtained even at the 5wt% MHT loading. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were also investigated. © 2008 The Society of Polymer Science.