Improvement of the thermal and mechanical behaviour of polystyrene (PS)-based nanocomposite films by modification of the composition and type of nanofiller

Abstract In the present study, a simple yet efficient approach to the preparation of polystyrene nanocomposites based on a natural Algerian organophilic clay, called Maghnite, was addressed. The dispersion of the PS matrix polymer in the organophilic clay sheets was optimised. The resultant organic clays have been used for the preparation of PS nanocomposites by in situ polymerization. Both organic clays identified as Mag-CTA (0.5CEC) and Mag-CTA (2.5CEC) were used. The properties of the PS/Mag-CTA nanocomposites were studied using various physicochemical techniques (XRD, FTIR, TGA, TEM). Structural and thermal measurements were carried out on these materials. It was shown that the structural design of the surfactant influences both the morphological and thermal profile of the resulting nanocomposites. Optimization of the thermal behaviour was observed at a weight content of 5 % for both types of clay. The results of the gel permeation chromatography analysis of the nanocomposites showed that the presence of Maghnite-CTA reduced the average molecular weight as well as the average particle size of the PS. The best performance in terms of Young’s modulus, impact resistance and tensile strength was obtained from nanocomposites with 5 % organic content. The presence of organics causes the MFI of SP to decrease.