Abstract
Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organo-montmorillonite (PET/OMMT) nanocomposites were melt-compounded using twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. N,N′-ethylenebis(stearamide) (EBS) was selected as a dispersing agent to improve the dispersibility and exfoliation of OMMT clay in PET matrix. Morphological properties of the PET/OMMT nanocomposites were examined by using X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that the OMMT are well dispersed and exfoliated in the presence of EBS. Remarkable enhancement in impact strength and storage modulus of PET/OMMT was achieved by the addition of EBS.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study was financially supported by Universiti Sains Malaysia Incentive Grant (USM, Malaysia; Grant number: 8021013), and USM Research University Postgraduate Research Grant Scheme (Grant number: 8033008).