Synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)/montmorillonite nanocomposites by <i>in situ</i> bulk polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Poly(methyl methacrylate)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ bulk polymerization. The results showed that the silicone coupling agent affected the structure and properties of hybrid materials. XRD analysis showed that the dispersion of clay in nanocomposites with silicone‐modified organophilic MMT was more ordered than that in nanocomposites with unmodified organophilic MMT. The glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the nanocomposites was 6–15°C higher and the thermal decomposition temperature ( T d ) was 100–120°C higher than those of pure PMMA. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2256–2260, 2003