Fullerene (C60) Containing Cross-Linked Polyacrylate Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Evaluation of Their Properties

Fullerene (C-60) containing cross-linked polyacrylate nanocomposites of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (BA) were prepared by in-situ polymerization of the monomers in the presence of fullerene using propylene glycol dimethacrylate (PGDMA) as a cross-linker and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator at 70 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere. The synthesized fullerene containing cross-linked nanocomposite materials were characterized by FTIR and TGA/DSC analyses. The presence of a peak at 527 cm(-1) in the FTIR spectrum suggests incorporation of fullerene into crosslinked polyacrylate nanocomposites. The glass transition temperature (T-g) increases with increasing concentration of fullerene nanofillers in the cross-linked nanocomposites. Incorporation of fullerene also increases the thermal stability of the polyacrylates. The cross-linked nanocomposites were studied for the cross-link density (CLD) measurement and water resistance properties. Fullerene nanofillers when incorporated into a cross-linked polyacrylate it obstructs the path of water permeation inside the polymer matrix thereby improving the water resistance properties of the material. It also enhances CLD and strengthens the hydrophobic bonding leading to an increase in Young's modulus and mechanical strength of the nanocomposites. The effect of cross-linker concentration was observed to increase the cross-link density and improve the water resistance properties.