Effect of the type of alkylammonium ion clay modifier on the structure and thermal/mechanical properties of glassy and rubbery epoxy-clay nanocomposites

Glassy and rubbery epoxy-clay nanocomposites were synthesized by using various montmorillonite organoclays in order to investigate and compare the effect of the type of alkylammonium ion clay modifier on the structure and properties of the nanocomposites. The organoclays studied were the Nanomer I.28E and I.30E and the Cloisite C10A, C15A and C20A. The functionality (acidity), size and shape of backbone chain, hydrophobicity and polarity were the varying parameters of the organic modifiers that were correlated to the ability of the organoclays to form highly intercalated or exfoliated nanocomposites and to the changes observed in the mechanical (tensile measurements), thermo-mechanical (DMA) and thermal (TGA) properties of the epoxy nanocomposites. The primary alkylammonium ion modifiers with reactive/acidic hydrogen atoms, compared to the quaternary octadecyl, dihydrogenated tallow and benzyl-substituted hydrogenated tallow ammonium ions, were the most effective for the formation of exfoliated clay glassy and rubbery epoxy nanocomposites which exhibited improved properties compared to the pristine epoxy polymers.