Structure - property relationships of new polystyrene nanocomposites prepared from initiator-containing layered double hydroxides of zinc aluminum and magnesium aluminum

Authors

Charles Manzi-Nshuti, Marquette UniversityFollow
Dan Chen, Hunan Normal UniversityFollow
Shengpei Shu, Hunan Normal University
Charles A. Wilkie, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2009

Source Publication

Polymer Degradation and Stability

Source ISSN

0141-3910

Abstract

Polystyrene/layered double hydroxides (PS/LDHs) nanocomposites were prepared by free radical polymerization of styrene monomer in the presence of LDHs intercalated with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoate) anions (LDH–ACPA). XRD and ATR-IR are used to confirm that the materials produced are layered and the presence of the azo-initiator anions in these LDHs. These LDHs were used successfully to polymerize styrene and both XRD and TEM images of the composites support the formation of a mixed exfoliated-intercalated nanocomposite for ZnAl–ACPA but a microcomposite for MgAl–ACPA. The magnesium-containing LDHs decreased the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composites while ZnAl–ACPA did not affect T_g significantly. The T_g depression is related to enhanced polymer dynamics due to the extra free volume at the LDH additive-polymer interface. A reduction in the onset of thermal decomposition temperature was observed in PS/LDH compared to neat PS, likely due to the early decomposition of the LDH. The fire performance, as evaluated by the cone calorimeter, reveal that PS–ZnAl–ACPA shows enhanced fire properties compared to PS–MgAl–ACPA.

Comments

Accepted version. Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 94, No. 8 (August 2009): 1290-1297. DOI. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Manzi-Nshuti, Charles; Chen, Dan; Shu, Shengpei; and Wilkie, Charles A., "Structure - property relationships of new polystyrene nanocomposites prepared from initiator-containing layered double hydroxides of zinc aluminum and magnesium aluminum" (2009). Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications. 90.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/chem_fac/90