Structure and Glass Transition Temperature of PMMA/Clay nanocomposites synthesized through in situ-Reversible Addition- Fragmentation Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization

In this research poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposite was prepared through reversible additionfragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Two synthesized RAFT agents, 3-(morpholino-4- carbothioylsulfanyl)-propionic acid methyl ester (RAFT-І) and diethyl-dithiocarbamic acid 2-carbamoyl-ethyl ester (RAFT-ІІ) were used. The morphology of samples was determined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated the proper intercalation of polymer chains between silicate layers. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was also used to determine the glass transition temperature (Tg) of samples. It was found that Tg is reduced in nanocomposites relative to that in neat polymer

Keywords:

poly(methyl methacrylate) , nanocomposite , RAFT polymerization , glass transition temperature , morphology