October 2013, Volume 114, Issue 1, pp 329–337 | Cite as

The effects of reactive organoclay on the thermal, mechanical, and microstructural properties of polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites based on chiral poly(amide-imide)s

Considering the importance of the nanocomposites, the present work focuses on some new hybrid materials prepared by introducing reactive organoclay (OC) into the chiral poly(amide-imide) (PAI) matrix. At first, Cloisite Na+ was modified with protonated l-isoleucine amino acid. Then, PAI containing phenylalanine was synthesized via solution polycondensation of chiral diacid chloride with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone and was characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H NMR techniques. At last, PAI/OC nanocomposite films containing 2, 5, 10, and 15 % of OC were prepared via solution intercalation method. The effect of OC dispersion and the interaction between OC and polymer chains on the properties of nanocomposites were investigated using FTIR, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, tensile testing of thin films, and thermogravimetry analysis techniques. The thermal stability of hybrids such as the decomposition temperature and mass residue at 800 °C was improved. Mechanical data indicated improvement in the tensile strength of the nanocomposites with OC loading up to 10 wt%. The transparency of the hybrid films was investigated by means of UV–Vis spectra.

Thermogravimetric analysis Organomodified clay Poly(amide-imide) Layered silicate nanocomposites Isoleucine amino acid

We wish to express our gratitude to the Research Affairs Division at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Isfahan, for partial financial support. Further financial support from National Elite Foundation (NEF), Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC), and Center of Excellency in Sensors and Green Chemistry Research (IUT) is gratefully acknowledged.
[null, {"document_url": "https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10973-012-2876-3", "unformatted_src": "https://media.springernature.com/w306/springer-static/cover/journal/10973/114/1.jpg", "src": "https://media.springernature.com/w306/springer-static/cover/journal/10973/114/1.jpg"}, null]