Using of p-Phenylenediamine as Modifier of Montmorrilonite for Preparation of Epoxy-Clay Nanocomposites: Morphology and Solvent Resistance Properties

In this article, modification of clay surfaces with an aromatic amine for the increment of dispersion and exfoliation into the epoxy matrix has been investigated. In the solvent media, slurry of hydrophilic clay was mixed and treated with p-phenylenediamine. Structure of the modified clay and the microstructure of the resultant nanocomposite were studied by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Also solvent resistance of resultant nanocomposite evaluated via standard method and compared with which of neat resin. The resultant nanocomposite exhibited a substantial dramatic decrease in solvent uptake compared to the neat resin system.