title: Structure and melt rheology of polystyrene-based layered silicate nanocomposites.
abstract: The melt-state viscoelastic properties of exfoliated in situ polymerized and intercalated solution-blended polystyrene (PS) and organically modified montmorillonite nanocomposites were investigated and compared. The PS nanocomposites prepared by nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) exhibit a stable exfoliated structure whereas the PS nanocomposites prepared by solution mixing exhibit an intercalated structure. The linear viscoelastic properties were strongly correlated with the dispersion state of the nanocomposites. On the other hand, the non-linear oscillatory shear properties exhibited shear thinning character and were consistent with the weak interactions between the polymer and the layered silicate.
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77204-4004, USA.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Xu
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Reeder
authors: Mahesh
authors: M
authors: Thopasridharan
authors: Jiaxiang
authors: J
authors: Ren
authors: Devon A
authors: DA
authors: Shipp
authors: Ramanan
authors: R
authors: Krishnamoorti