Preparation, characterization and water barrier properties of PS/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polystyrene/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared via solution blending method, using CHCl3 and CCl4 as solvents. The clay used was organically modified by hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) at various surfactant loadings. Intercalated nanocomposite structure was obtained using CHCl3 as solvent while exfoliated or partially exfoliated was probably the predominated form in the case of CCl4, as shown by X-ray diffraction measurements. Enhancement in thermal stability and in water barrier properties was observed for PS-nanocomposites compared to that of pristine polymer as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis and water vapor transmission measurements. This increment was more prevalent for nanocomposites prepared with carbon tetrachloride as solvent.