Synthesis of polystyrene-clay nanocomposites

A reactive cationic surfactant vinylbenzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (VDAC) was synthesized for intercalation of montmorillonite (MMT), a smecti c type of clay. Organophilic MMT was prepared by ion exchange between Na+ i ons in the clay and VDAC cations in aqueous medium. VDAC-intercalated MMT p articles were easily dispersed and swollen in styrene monomer. Polystyrene- clay nanocomposites were prepared by free radical polymerization of styrene containing dispersed clay. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electr on microscopy (TEM) indicate that exfoliation of MMT was achieved. Palystyr ene-clay nanocomposites have higher dynamic modulus than pure polystyrene ( PS). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.