Poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) and Poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-styrene)/Silicate Nanocomposites Prepared by Emulsion Polymerization

Two types of poly(n-butyl acrylate) copolymer/silicate nanocomposites have been produced: poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) [P(BA-co-MMA)]/silicate nanocomposites and poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-styrene) [P(BA-co-ST)]/silicate nanocomposites. The P(BA-co-MMA)/silicate nanocomposites shows the exfoliated structures but a P(BA-co-ST)/silicate nanocomposites have intercalated structures, because the BA/MMA comonomer has a higher polarity (e-value in Q-e scheme) than the BA/ST comonomer. The BA/MMA comonomer expanded the interlayer space of the silicate wider than did the BA/ST comonomer. The thermal degradation onset point of the P(BA-co-MMA)/silicate nanocomposites was 43$^{\circ}C$ higher than that of pure P(BA-co-MMA). P(BA-co-MMA)T5%, P(BA-co-MMA)T10%, and P(BA-co-MMA)T20% exhibit 134,302, and 195% increases, respectively, in their storage moduli at -20$^{\circ}C$ relative to the pure copolymer.