FUNCTIONALIZATION OF MONTMORILLONITE BY METHYL-METHACRYLATE POLYMERS CONTAINING SIDE-CHAIN AMMONIUM CATIONS

Non-extractable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-montmorillonite adducts were prepared by two distinct processes: (a) In the first method, free-radical copolymerization of MMA with clay previously treated with 2-(N-methyl-N,N-diethylammonium iodide) ethyl acrylate (QD1) or 2-(N-butyl-N,N-diethylammonium bromide) ethyl acrylate (QD4) was performed. (b) The second method was based on the direct interaction of montmorillonite with various copolymers of MMA with QD1 or QD4. The structure of the adducts as determined by Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction was shown to consist of the insertion of MMA macromolecules between lamellar layers whose separation was consequently higher than in the polymer-free clay. The polymer was strongly fixed to the inorganic surfaces, probably due to cooperative formation of electrostatic bonding. The thermal stability of the organic polymers was substantially enhanced in the adducts