Synthesis of polymer–montmorillonite nanocomposites by in situ intercalative polymerization

Two polymer–montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites have been synthesized by in situ intercalative polymerization. The styrene monomer is intercalated into the interlayer space of organically modified MMT, a layered clay mineral. Upon the intercalation, the complex is subsequently polymerized in the confinement environment of the interlayer space with a free radical initiator, 2,2-azobis isobutyronitrile. The aniline monomer is also intercalated and then polymerized within the interlayer space of sodium-and copper-MMT initiated by ammonium peroxodisulphate and interlayer copper cations respectively. X-ray diffraction indicates that the MMT layers are completely dispersed in the polystyrene matrix and an exfoliated structure has been obtained. The resulting polyaniline–MMT nanocomposites show a highly ordered structure of a single polyaniline layer stacked with the MMT layers. Fourier transform infrared spectra further confirm the intercalation and formation of both polymer–MMT nanocomposites.