Conclusions
This work presents a new approach for the synthesis of functional
copolymer-g-biopolymer layered silicate nanocomposites incorporated
with different clays which are executed the dual functions as a catalyst
and nanofiller. The origin of used clays and their LA preintercalated
complexes aswell as self-assembled structure ofmatrix graft copolymer
with better hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance play an important role in
situ processing and in the formation and distribution of micro and nanoparticles.
The chemical and physical structures confirmed the proposed
steps and mechanism of interlamellar graft copolymerisation in the
presence of catalyst-nanofillers. The XRD and DSC patterns indicated
that the CPNs predominantly exhibit amorphous structure with lower
degree of crystallinity (11.5%). The XRD patterns also provide access to
the inter-layer stacking distance between clay plates. The obtained
SEM results indicate that the origin of the clays influenced on domain
size of particles, surface porosity and pore size. TEM images show the
size distribution, diameter and thickness of the platelets which confirmed
the mixture of intercalated/exfoliated CPNs with fine dispersed
and partially agglomerated core–shell particles. The results from TGADTG
analyses indicate that the thermal stability (Td(max) = 333.3–
441.7 °C) depends on the type of used clays and changes in the
following order: ODA+-Mt b Ag+-Mt b Na+-Mt.