Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites by emulsion polymerization

摘要

The present invention generally provides a method for producing an exfoliated nanocomposite. The method involves charging to water, as the continuous phase, monomers, polymerizable surfactant, and water-soluble initiator. The monomers are allowed to polymerize under agitation to form an emulsion of polymers, and the polymerizable surfactant is bound to the polymers so formed, with an ionic end of the polymerizable surfactant extending from the polymers to provide surface charges. Thereafter, a suspension of nanofillers in water is charged to the emulsion. The nanofillers are oppositely charged from the ionic end of the polymerizable surfactant such that they electrostatically bind to the polymers within the emulsion. The water is subsequently decanted to produce a nanocomposite with an exfoliated structure.