Mechanical Properties and Rheological Behavior of Poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/ Oligomeric modified MMT clay Nanocomposites

By : Jitendra S. Narkhede, N. G. Shimpi, V. V. Shertukde

Page No: 185-197

Abstract
Polymer/clay nanocomposites have been extensively studied to enhance the properties of polymer by incorporation of small amount of clay, usually modified with organic cations, preferably containing long alkyl chains, which are exchanged with the inorganic cations in the clay gallery. In this work clay was modified with two different oligomeric surfactant viz: poly(styrene-co-vinylimidazole) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinyl pyridine) quarternized with benzyl chloride. The oligomeric modified clay contains 50% clay and 50% oilgomeric surfactant. The oilgomeric modified MMT clay having thermal stability higher than the processing temperature of PBT was used to prepare nanocomposites of PBT by melt blending. The resulting nanocomposites were evaluated for mechanical and rheological properties. A considerable increase in tensile strength up to 50% is observed for 2 phr incorporation of oligomeric modified clay. Rheological behavior exhibits more solid-like behavior and increased melt viscosity of the obtained nanocomposites.

Authors :
Jitendra S. Narkhede and  N. G. Shimpi : University Institute of Chemical Technology, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon-425001
V. V. Shertukde : Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai- 400019