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Abstract
Organoclay-based poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites were prepared using a chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) solvent by the supercritical fluid process. Mechanical properties, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and thermal stability were characterized for PMMA nanocomposites. Commercially available organoclays (ASM clay) treated with alkyl ammonium salt, such as Cloisite® 15A and Cloisite® 30B, were compared with lab-made organoclays (FSM clay); specifically, sodium montmorillonite modified with a fluorinated surfactant. Ultrasonic treatment in the preparation of FSM clay was also investigated. Since the fluorinated tail in FSM clay is compatible with HCFC-22, FSM clay processed with ultrasonication showed partial exfoliation for PMMA/FSM clay nanocomposite, resulting in better thermal and mechanical properties and higher glass transition temperature as opposed to the intercalation morphologies for PMMA/ASM clay.
Acknowledgment
This research was kindly supported by an internal grant of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).