# Preparation and Characterization of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) Nanocomposites and Nanofibers

Authors: Jun Liu; Yuguo Zhuo; Qingshan Li; Wei Hong; Guangzhong Xing
Journal: Journal of Spectroscopy
 (2014)

---

## Abstract

P(AN-VAc-PMMT) nanocomposites were prepared usingin situ emulsion polymerization and further confirmed by FTIR. A polymerizable quaternary ammonium ion monomer was used to modify montmorillonite. XRD testing showed that the quaternary ammonium ion was successfully intercalated into the montmorillonite chip layer. This is the first paper to discuss an investigation of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) nanofiber morphology using SEM. The fibers were prepared through electrospinning.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

In recent years, a significant amount of work has been carried out on polymer-clay nanocomposites because they show more favorable mechanical properties than pure polymers and conventional inorganic-polymer composites [1–3]. The most common approaches [4] to achieving exfoliated nanocomposite structures are modification of the chemistry of the clay surface from hydrophilic to organophilic, which improves compatibility with the host polymer [5, 6] matrix, and special processing techniques, such asin situ polymerization, high shear solution blending, and melt blending [7, 8].Electrospinning is an effective method for the production of polymeric fibers [9] with diameters ranging from tens of nanometers to microns. The feasibility of incorporating nanometer-sized particulates into fibers has made this process even more attractive in the production of composite fibers.The purpose of this project was to improve the thermal properties of PAN-based fibers via electrospinning. Specifically, this paper describes the formation of electrospun fibers from solutions of poly (AN-co-VAc) copolymers and dispersions of their layered-silicate nanocomposites. Fibers have also been formed under the same conditions. The nanocomposites were prepared usingin situ emulsion polymerization to enhance the dispersion and exfoliation of clay in the polymer matrix. The polymerized nanocomposites were then dispersed into solutions of dimethylformamide (DMF), from which fibers were electrospun. The morphology and thermal properties of the electrospun fibers from the copolymer and nanocomposite solutions were characterized.


## 2. Experiments

### 2.1. MSDQA (Methyl Styrene Dodecyl Quaternary Ammonium) Preparation

A certain amount of acetone, chloromethyl styrene, and dodecyl dimethyl amine was added to a 250 mL three-neck bottle equipped with a stirrer, reflux condenser, and thermometer. It was heated until the acetone was refluxed. A yellow emulsion was produced after 2 hours. The product was precipitated by n-heptane and then washed with acetone three times. After centrifugation, the sediment was washed with deionized water, dried in vacuum at 60°C for 24 hours, and ground into fine powder.One gram of Na-MMT was dispersed in 30 mL of distilled water with vigorous stirring for 0.5 hours at room temperature. Three-tenths of a gram of methyl styrene dodecyl quaternary ammonium was dissolved in 20 mL of distilled water. The two solutions were mixed under nitrogen and kept at 80°C with stirring at 800 rpm for 3 hours. After centrifugation, the sediment was washed with deionized water, dried in a vacuum at 80°C for 24 hours, and ground to a fine powder.


### 2.2. P(AN-VAc-PMMT) Nanocomposite Preparation

The P(AN-co-VAc) copolymers containing 10 wt% VAc and layered-silicate nanocomposites with the same nominal compositions were prepared individually via emulsion polymerization.Details follow: a given weight of PMMT was dispersed in admixture of 9 g acrylonitrile (AN) and 1 g vinyl acetate (VAc). The solution was surged ultrasonically for 30 minutes when the ultrasonic frequency was 400 KHz and ultrasonic power was 250 W. 90 mL deionized water and 0.2 g sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) were placed in a three-neck bottle with a battle stirrer, a reflux condenser, and a thermometer. The solution was mixed thoroughly and then added to a PMMT and polymerizable quaternary ammonium ion monomer mixture while being continuously mixed by ultrasonic. When the temperature reached 70°C, the solution of K2S2O8 was added to the three-neck bottle and allowed to react for about 2 hours. Then it was swilled into beakers and various 13 wt% NaCl solutions were added to the beakers to precipitate the product. After centrifugation, the sediment was washed with deionized water, dried in a vacuum at 70°C for 24 hours, and ground to a fine powder.


## 2.1. MSDQA (Methyl Styrene Dodecyl Quaternary Ammonium) Preparation

A certain amount of acetone, chloromethyl styrene, and dodecyl dimethyl amine was added to a 250 mL three-neck bottle equipped with a stirrer, reflux condenser, and thermometer. It was heated until the acetone was refluxed. A yellow emulsion was produced after 2 hours. The product was precipitated by n-heptane and then washed with acetone three times. After centrifugation, the sediment was washed with deionized water, dried in vacuum at 60°C for 24 hours, and ground into fine powder.One gram of Na-MMT was dispersed in 30 mL of distilled water with vigorous stirring for 0.5 hours at room temperature. Three-tenths of a gram of methyl styrene dodecyl quaternary ammonium was dissolved in 20 mL of distilled water. The two solutions were mixed under nitrogen and kept at 80°C with stirring at 800 rpm for 3 hours. After centrifugation, the sediment was washed with deionized water, dried in a vacuum at 80°C for 24 hours, and ground to a fine powder.


## 2.2. P(AN-VAc-PMMT) Nanocomposite Preparation

The P(AN-co-VAc) copolymers containing 10 wt% VAc and layered-silicate nanocomposites with the same nominal compositions were prepared individually via emulsion polymerization.Details follow: a given weight of PMMT was dispersed in admixture of 9 g acrylonitrile (AN) and 1 g vinyl acetate (VAc). The solution was surged ultrasonically for 30 minutes when the ultrasonic frequency was 400 KHz and ultrasonic power was 250 W. 90 mL deionized water and 0.2 g sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) were placed in a three-neck bottle with a battle stirrer, a reflux condenser, and a thermometer. The solution was mixed thoroughly and then added to a PMMT and polymerizable quaternary ammonium ion monomer mixture while being continuously mixed by ultrasonic. When the temperature reached 70°C, the solution of K2S2O8 was added to the three-neck bottle and allowed to react for about 2 hours. Then it was swilled into beakers and various 13 wt% NaCl solutions were added to the beakers to precipitate the product. After centrifugation, the sediment was washed with deionized water, dried in a vacuum at 70°C for 24 hours, and ground to a fine powder.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Characterization of Materials

P(AN-VAc-PMMT) composites prepared byin situ emulsion polymerization presented as nanometer microspheres of about 150 nm in size (Figure 1). When montmorillonite content was below 5%, the surface morphology of the composite microspheres appeared clear because long chains of polymers curl naturally.TEM of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) ((a) 2%, (b) 5%).
(a)
(b)The spectrum contained characteristic absorbance bands of all components. The spectrum of pure MSDQA (Figure2(a)) shows the peak whose wave numbers are in the region of 1470 cm−1 due to the substance’s quaternary ammonium ions. The peaks at 2920 cm−1 and 2850 cm−1 were characteristic of CH3 and CH2 absorption peaks, respectively. The peak at 3450 cm−1 was attributed to the band of water in MSDQA. MSDQA also showed peaks at 1630 cm−1 and 1514 cm−1 due to its phenyl group. Absorbance peaks from C–N stretching at 1221 cm−1 confirmed the successful synthesis of MSDQA. Figure 2(b) shows the FTIR spectra of P(AN-VAc-PMMT). The spectrum of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) contained characteristic absorbance bands for all components. C–H stretching at 2930 cm−1, C≡N stretching at 2240 cm−1, and C–H bending at 1454 cm−1 are characteristic of P(AN-VAC). Absorbance peaks from phenyl groups at 1630 cm−1 and 1514 cm−1 confirmed the presence of MSDQA in the nanocomposite. Absorbance peaks from O–H stretching at about 3464 cm−1, Si–O stretching at about 1027 cm−1, and Si–O bending at about 520 cm−1 confirmed the presence of PMMT in the nanocomposite. C=O stretching at 1740 cm−1 was detected.FTIR spectra of (a) MSDQA and (b) P(AN-VAc-PMMT).
(a)
(b)As shown in Figure3, the quaternary ammonium salt was intercalated into the montmorillonite layers on chip by cation exchange, thereby forming composites with the required nanometer-sized spaces. PMMT reflection in the nanocomposite was not observed when PMMT content was below 5 wt%. At the PMMT content of 8 wt%, the PMMT reflection appeared at 2θ=1.94°, corresponding to a basal spacing of 4.54 nm. This indicated that the polymer chains were intercalated into the PMMT.XRD: (a) Na-MMT and PMMT; (b) 1: the PMMT content 5 wt%, 2: the PMMT content 8 wt%, and 3: PMMT.
(a)
(b)


### 3.2. Analysis of Fiber Morphology

Fiber morphology was characterized using SEM. Figure4 shows that, as the montmorillonite content increased, the diameters of the P(AN-VAc-PMMT) fibers did not change significantly and line densities were the same. This may have been due to the effect of the molecular weight of composite materials. When montmorillonite was added, the molecular weight of the polymers increased, leading to thickening of the P(AN-VAc-PMMT) fibers. As MMT content increased, the adsorption capacity of MMT to free radicals gradually became preponderant. This caused the molecular weight to decrease slightly. However, this trend was not very obvious. The average diameters of the fibers that were prepared with MMT may have been affected in an inconspicuous way.SEM images of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) ((a) 0%, (b) 2%) electrospinning fibers processed in a capillary tube with an inner diameter of 0.7 mm at a voltage of 30 KV, a spinning distance of 25 cm, and a speed of 0.5 mL/h.
(a)
(b)Figure4(a) shows that the electrospun P(AN-VAc) fibers contained a certain number of small beads. After montmorillonite was added, the surfaces of the fibers became smooth because the negative charge of the montmorillonite surfaces increased the conductivity of the solution during electrospinning. The polymer chain can be arranged parallel to the surface of the montmorillonite lamellae when the montmorillonite is introduced. In this way, the electrospinnability of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) composite fibers is better than that of P(AN-VAC) fibers.


## 3.1. Characterization of Materials

P(AN-VAc-PMMT) composites prepared byin situ emulsion polymerization presented as nanometer microspheres of about 150 nm in size (Figure 1). When montmorillonite content was below 5%, the surface morphology of the composite microspheres appeared clear because long chains of polymers curl naturally.TEM of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) ((a) 2%, (b) 5%).
(a)
(b)The spectrum contained characteristic absorbance bands of all components. The spectrum of pure MSDQA (Figure2(a)) shows the peak whose wave numbers are in the region of 1470 cm−1 due to the substance’s quaternary ammonium ions. The peaks at 2920 cm−1 and 2850 cm−1 were characteristic of CH3 and CH2 absorption peaks, respectively. The peak at 3450 cm−1 was attributed to the band of water in MSDQA. MSDQA also showed peaks at 1630 cm−1 and 1514 cm−1 due to its phenyl group. Absorbance peaks from C–N stretching at 1221 cm−1 confirmed the successful synthesis of MSDQA. Figure 2(b) shows the FTIR spectra of P(AN-VAc-PMMT). The spectrum of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) contained characteristic absorbance bands for all components. C–H stretching at 2930 cm−1, C≡N stretching at 2240 cm−1, and C–H bending at 1454 cm−1 are characteristic of P(AN-VAC). Absorbance peaks from phenyl groups at 1630 cm−1 and 1514 cm−1 confirmed the presence of MSDQA in the nanocomposite. Absorbance peaks from O–H stretching at about 3464 cm−1, Si–O stretching at about 1027 cm−1, and Si–O bending at about 520 cm−1 confirmed the presence of PMMT in the nanocomposite. C=O stretching at 1740 cm−1 was detected.FTIR spectra of (a) MSDQA and (b) P(AN-VAc-PMMT).
(a)
(b)As shown in Figure3, the quaternary ammonium salt was intercalated into the montmorillonite layers on chip by cation exchange, thereby forming composites with the required nanometer-sized spaces. PMMT reflection in the nanocomposite was not observed when PMMT content was below 5 wt%. At the PMMT content of 8 wt%, the PMMT reflection appeared at 2θ=1.94°, corresponding to a basal spacing of 4.54 nm. This indicated that the polymer chains were intercalated into the PMMT.XRD: (a) Na-MMT and PMMT; (b) 1: the PMMT content 5 wt%, 2: the PMMT content 8 wt%, and 3: PMMT.
(a)
(b)


## 3.2. Analysis of Fiber Morphology

Fiber morphology was characterized using SEM. Figure4 shows that, as the montmorillonite content increased, the diameters of the P(AN-VAc-PMMT) fibers did not change significantly and line densities were the same. This may have been due to the effect of the molecular weight of composite materials. When montmorillonite was added, the molecular weight of the polymers increased, leading to thickening of the P(AN-VAc-PMMT) fibers. As MMT content increased, the adsorption capacity of MMT to free radicals gradually became preponderant. This caused the molecular weight to decrease slightly. However, this trend was not very obvious. The average diameters of the fibers that were prepared with MMT may have been affected in an inconspicuous way.SEM images of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) ((a) 0%, (b) 2%) electrospinning fibers processed in a capillary tube with an inner diameter of 0.7 mm at a voltage of 30 KV, a spinning distance of 25 cm, and a speed of 0.5 mL/h.
(a)
(b)Figure4(a) shows that the electrospun P(AN-VAc) fibers contained a certain number of small beads. After montmorillonite was added, the surfaces of the fibers became smooth because the negative charge of the montmorillonite surfaces increased the conductivity of the solution during electrospinning. The polymer chain can be arranged parallel to the surface of the montmorillonite lamellae when the montmorillonite is introduced. In this way, the electrospinnability of P(AN-VAc-PMMT) composite fibers is better than that of P(AN-VAC) fibers.


## 4. Conclusions

(1)
P(AN-VAc-PMMT) nanocomposites were prepared by the method of emulsion intercalation polymerization. It is a result that P(AN-VAc-PMMT) nanocomposite was synthesized token by FTIR spectra and the copolymer P(AN-VAc) is intercalated into montmorillonite layer by XRD.
(2)
P(AN-VAc) and P(AN-VAc-PMMT) composites can be made into nanofibers by electrospinning. The electrospinnability of P(AN-VAc) fiber composites was found to be better than that of P(AN-VAC).



---

*Source: 142691-2014-06-09.xml*