Homogeneity study of Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) based on gelatin/PEG/clay nanocomposites

The effect of cross-linking sequence (simultaneous or sequential) and incorporation of exfoliated sodiummontmorillonite(Na+-MMT) nanoclay on the structure and properties of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) basedon gelatin/poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate was studied by means of different complementary techniques. Crosslinkingof gelatin and PEGdmA was performed via chemical and in situ UV curing, respectively. The results showed thatchemical cross-linking kinetics of gelatin and therefore the structural evolution of the IPNs can be tuned by the Na+-MMT content. In the case of simultaneous IPNs, the accelerated cross-linking of gelatin in the presence of exfoliatedsodium-montmorillonite led to increased homogeneity and improved mechanical properties. On the other hand,incorporation of nanoclay did not show any significant effect on the structure and properties of the IPNs synthesized viasequential method. For the semi-IPNs, however, Na+-MMT induced macroscopic phase separation and resulted in lowermechanical properties.

Keywords:

Nanostructures , Nanocomposite materials , Chemical synthesis , Polymers