Hybrid Latex Particles: Preparation with Miniemulsion Polymerization

Abstract

This research developed a novel poly(trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane) (PTMS)/montmorillonite nanoparticles, for technologic applications. PTMS /MMT nanoparticles were prepared by the miniemulsion polymerization method. Montmorillonite clay was encapsulated within a fluorinated cyclosiloxane (1,3,5-tris(trifluoropropylmethyl)cyclotrisiloxane) to give stable water based nanocomposite latex, using miniemulsion polymerization technique. The resulting composite latex was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and RX diffraction. The particles stability was investigated by sedimentation and surface tension measurements. An efficient cationic/nonionic surfactant mixture was used in order to achieve the best compatibility with the monomer. TEM and RX data revealed the partial embedding of montmorillonite in the spherical polymer based nanoparticles. According to DLS measurements, the encapsulated clay particles conserve their size throughout the polymerization process. The melt processing of poly(trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane) matrix to encapsulate the montmorillonite clay was also carried out for comparison purposes.