Crown Ether-Modified Clays and their Polystyrene Nanocomposites

Authors

Hongyang Jao, Marquette University
Jin Zhu, Marquette UniversityFollow
Alexander B. Morgan, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Charles A. Wilkie, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2002

Source Publication

Polymer Engineering & Science

Abstract

Crown ether-modified clays were obtained by the combination of sodium and potassium clays with crown ethers and cryptands. Polystyrene nanocomposites were prepared by bulk polymerization in the presence of these clays. The structures of nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Their thermal stability and flame retardancy were measured by thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry, respectively. Nanocomposites can be formed only from the potassium clays; apparently the sodium clays are not sufficiently organophilic to enable nanocomposite formation. The onset temperature of the degradation is higher for the nanocomposites compared to virgin polystyrene, and the peak heat release rate is decreased by 25% to 30%.

Comments

Published version. Polymer Engineering & Science, Volume 42, No. 9 (2002), DOI: 10.1002/pen.11073. © 2002 Society for Plastic Engineers. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Jao, Hongyang; Zhu, Jin; Morgan, Alexander B.; and Wilkie, Charles A., "Crown Ether-Modified Clays and their Polystyrene Nanocomposites" (2002). Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications. 29.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/chem_fac/29