Synthesis, characterization and application of poly (butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization

Poly (butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites were synthesized via emulsion polymerization with an emulsifier (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, SDBS), an initiator (ammonium persulate, APS), acrylic acid ester monomer and Na-montmorillonite. It was found that the addition of SDBS and water widened the gap between clay layers and facilitated the permeation of monomers into clay. Through initiator, comonomers were polymerized in the montmorillonite galleries. The structure of extracted nanocomposites was confirmed by XRD, transmission election microscopy (TEM), gel-penetrate chromatogram (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high-resolution transmission election microscopy (HRTEM). And then process properties and dynamic mechanical properties were investigated when this particle was blended with polycarbonate (PC).