Synthesis of exfoliated PS/Na-MMT nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization

Exfoliated PS/Na-MMT nanocomposites were obtained up to 3 wt % of clay without modifying clay organically and DBS-Na affected the degree of exfoliation of silicate layers. The feed rate of monomers also had an effect on polymerization, and it was a key to controlling the total monomer concentration and maintaining a certain polymerization rate inside the clay. As the amount of AMPS increased, it was easy to enlarge and exfoliate the clay layers. The onset degradation temperature of the nanocomposites was higher than that of pure PS without clay and shifted toward a higher temperature as the amount of pristine Na-MMT increased. Through the NMR spectrum, the end-tethered material on silicate layers was AMPS and styrene. The storage modulus of A0.3STD3% had the 100% higher value than that of A0.3STD0%. The image of exfoliated nanocomposites was shown by TEM.