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Abstract
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The problems with non-degradable materials in different applications
have led to an interest in materials based on bionanocomposites. In this study,
polymer–montmorillonite nanocomposites based on natural polymers (chitosan,
alginate, gelatin and starch) and montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared using
solution intercalation method. Then hybrid nanocomposites were synthesized by
chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of polymer–MMT
nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction
(XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize the nanocomposites. FT-IR confirmed the successful preparation of hybrid nanocomposites.
From the XRD results, intercalation of the MMT platelets in the matrix of polymers
was examined. Further investigation by TEM images showed a mixed intercalated
and flocculated structure for nanocomposites. Moreover, the TGA results showed
improved thermal stability for the nanocomposites. The results presented in this
study showed the feasibility of using these hybrid nanocomposites with improved
properties in wide range of applications.
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