Insights into Montmorillonite Nanoclay Based ex Situ Nanocomposites from SEBS and Modified SEBS by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering and Modulated DSC Studies

Abstract

The work reported here is concerned with the quantification and correlation drawn on the effect of nanoclay platelets in the lamella orders in the nanocomposites of poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] triblock copolymer (SEBS) and polar-modified SEBSs by using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and modulated DSC (MDSC) studies with morphological evidence from atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). 2−4 wt % organically modified nanoclay OMT loading assists increment in the lamellar orders of the neat SEBS owing to interaction in these hybrid systems indicated by the positive shift in glass transition temperature by DSC. Polar-modified SEBS samples show deviation of the corresponding ordering lengths and pattern supported by MDSC, while their unmodified MT nanoclay based nanocomposites exhibit structural regeneration of ordering pattern and morphology evidenced from AFM and TEM due to nucleating effect of the added nanoclay.