Synthesis and oil absorption of poly(butylmethacrylate)/organo-attapulgite nanocomposite by suspended emulsion polymerization

A series of polybutylmethacrylate/organo-attapulgite (PBMA/organo-APT) nanocomposites were prepared by suspended emulsion polymerization using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker, and organo-APT treated by different quaternary ammonium salt (C12, C16, and C18) as an inorganic component. The nanocomposites were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing that organo-APT participated in polymerization by which a nanocomposite structure was formed. The effects of crosslinker and organo-APT with different alkyl chain length on oil absorbency were investigated. The swelling kinetics in toluene, chloroform and gasoline were also systematically studied. The results reveal that introducing organo-APT with moderate hydrophobic-chain length into the PBMA polymeric network can improve oil absorption capability and swelling rate. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013 (C) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers