Chemistry Project Abstract
EXFOLIATING CLAY NANOPARTICLES THROUGH POLYMERIZATION
Presenter:
Amy Peterson, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; amylou@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Dr. Giuseppe Palmese, Drexel University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104; 215-895-5814; palmese@coe.drexel.edu
Abstract:
Composites of organic and inorganic materials on the nanometer scale are called nanocomposties. These materials often exhibit unusual hybrid properties. In some cases such materials exhibit performance characteristics that are superior to those of their constituents. By cationically polymerizing a mixture of epoxy and Cloisite, a natural montmorillonite clay, the layers of the clay may be intercalated and perhaps exfoliated by growing polymer chains when active centers are embedded between clay layers thus forming a nanocomposite. Two types of mixing, mechanical and sonication, were investigated to find the most effective means of dispersing the cloisite. To determine whether or not the clay particles exfoliated as well as to examine the properties of the polymer, a number of tests were performed. Using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), the storage modulus of the composites was assessed, which allowed for measurement of the transition temperature from a glassy state to a rubbery one of the polymer composite. A Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) was used to measure the enthalpy of reaction of the epoxy as well as the residual enthalpy of cured samples in order to determine the effectiveness of e-beam curing of the samples. Results indicate that the clay significantly alters the behavioral characteristics of the epoxy polymer.