title: Poly(ethylene naphthalate)/clay nanocomposites based on thermally stable trialkylimidazolium-treated montmorillonite: thermal and dynamic mechanical properties.
abstract: Thermally stable organically modified clays based on 1,3-didecyl-2-methylimidazolium (IM2C10) and 1-hexadecyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium (IMC16) were used to prepare poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites via a melt intercalation process. Examination by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicates that an intercalated nanocomposite was formed with IMC16-MMT, while unmodified MMT (Na-MMT) and IM2C10-MMT are generally incompatible with PEN. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the peak derivative weight loss temperature of the intercalated PEN/IMC16-MMT was more than 10 "C higher compared to neat PEN, PEN/Na-MMT, or PEN/IM2C10-MMT. Dynamic mechanical analysis also showed that a more significant improvement of the storage modulus was achieved in the better dispersed PEN/IMC16-MMT. The effect of annealing on the dynamic storage modulus of the hybrids is also investigated.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798.
authors.forename: Yang Choo
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Shucheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xuehong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077215:Clay; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D006244:Hardness; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011095:Polyethylenes; D001546:Bentonite; D000077215:Clay