Preparation and structural characterization of polystyrene-rectorite nanocomposites

The polystyrene/rectorite nanocomposites were prepared by free radical polymerization of styrene containing dispersed organophilic rectorite. The structures and thermal properties of these hybrids have been investigated by X\|ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT\|IR), positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. It was found that exfoliation of rectorite in polystyrene (PS) matrix was achieved. The average free\|volume radius in the PS/clay nanocomposites is generally same as that in PS. Along with increment of rectorite contents, the interface between rectorite and polystyrene matrix increases, and the free\|volume concentration decreases obviously. And the polystyrene nanocomposites have higher thermal decomposition temperature than pure PS.