Acrylate Rubber/Organoclay Hybrid Nanocomposites from Renewable Resources

摘要

Economic and environmental concerns lead to the development of new composites from renewable resources. In this research, a new elastic nanocomposite was synthesized from plant oil based resins and organoclay by in situ intercalation and solution intercalation. Acrylated Oleic Methyl Ester (AOME), prepared from high oleic triglycerides, was polymerized by mini-emulsion polymerization to produce a high molecular weight linear polymer. The selected organically modified clay and poly(AOME) matrix have a similar solubility parameter. Therefore intercalation of the polymer into the clay layers occurs and the nano-scale multilayered structure is stable. Morphology of this nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Mechanical properties were studied and effects of the nanoclay are dramatic. Relations between tensile properties and nanoclay volume ratio were found to be σ ~ φ , λ ~ φ~0.5 , E ~ φ~2, U ~ φ . The modified Halpin-Tsai equation was used to predict the Young's modulus in this elastic nanocomposite. The onset of the thermal decomposition was hindered by the loading of the nanoclay. It is also shown that the nanoclay improves the biodegradability of this bio-based elastomer.