Use of Infrared Spectroscopy To Characterize Clay Intercalation and Exfoliation in Polymer Nanocomposites

The use of infrared spectroscopy as a technique for characterizing the state of intercalation and exfoliation in polymer nanocomposites prepared from montmorillonite-based nanoclays was investigated. The nanocomposite samples were based on polypropylene (blown films) or high-density polyethylene (ex...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecules 2008-02, Vol.41 (3), p.834-843
Main Author: Cole, Kenneth C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Composites
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Technology of polymers
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The use of infrared spectroscopy as a technique for characterizing the state of intercalation and exfoliation in polymer nanocomposites prepared from montmorillonite-based nanoclays was investigated. The nanocomposite samples were based on polypropylene (blown films) or high-density polyethylene (extruded material). It was clearly shown that the shape of the clay band envelope in the 1350−750 cm-1 region, which includes four Si−O stretching modes, varies with the degree of processing and is sensitive to the quality of intercalation/exfoliation. Peak fitting was used to elucidate the nature of the changes and to develop quantitative indicators. The out-of-plane Si−O mode near 1070 cm-1 is particularly sensitive and undergoes significant changes. Infrared spectroscopy is a valuable complement to established techniques like X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and has the added advantage of being able to provide a relatively fast indication of the overall degree of intercalation/exfoliation, including clay particles with interlayer spacings outside the range of X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, it offers the possibility of use as a quality control method, either in the laboratory or on-line.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma0628329