Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Thermal Properties of the Poly(methylmethacrylate)/δ-FeOOH Hybrid Material: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Abstract

The δ-FeOOH/PMMA nanocomposites with 0.5 and 2.5 wt.% of δ-FeOOH were prepared by grafting 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate on the surface of the iron oxyhydroxide particles. The FTIR spectra of the δ-FeOOH/PMMA nanocomposites showed that the silane monomers were covalently attached to the δ-FeOOH particles. Because of the strong interaction between the PMMA and δ-FeOOH nanoparticles, the thermal stability of the δ-FeOOH/PMMA nanocomposites was improved compared to the pure PMMA. The SEM analysis conferred the size agglomerate of particles regarding the morphology of samples. The theoretical study enabled a better understanding of the interaction of the polymer with the iron oxyhydroxide. The DFT-based calculations reinforce the radical trapping mechanism of stabilization of nanocomposites; that is, Fe3+ species might be able to accept electrons coming from the organic phase that decomposes via radical unzipping. The radical scavenge effect delays the weight loss of polymer.