Patent ID: 8653187

Claim:
A method for production of a polystyrene composite, comprising: combining a styrene monomer with a treated nanoparticle to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to polymerization conditions to produce a polystyrene composite; wherein the treated nanoparticle has been formed by contacting a nanoparticle with an additive to produce a treated nanoparticle prior to combining with the monomer; wherein the nanoparticle is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, and combinations thereof capable of adsorbing volatile components from the polystyrene composite; wherein the additive comprises a moiety that is capable of reacting with styrene from the polystyrene composite; wherein the glass transition temperature of the polystyrene composite is at least 2° C. above the glass transition temperature of the polystyrene based polymer without the treated nanoparticle; wherein the treated nanoparticle is dispersed within a polystyrene matrix of the polystyrene composite and comprises delaminated layered particles or particulates distributed within the polystyrene matrix; and wherein the polystyrene composite has an intercalated morphology, an exfoliated morphology, or combinations thereof.