Novel vinyl-modified sepiolite-based polymer nanocomposites: synthesis and characterization

An environmental-friendly synthesis of polymer clay nanocomposites (PCNs) was carried out by incorporation of nanoclay into polymer matrix for their potential application as sorbent of metals present in aqueous media. Polyacrylonitrile was chemically grafted onto 77% vinyl triethoxysilane-modified sepiolite. The polymerization was carried out with benzoyl peroxide (BPO, C₁₄H₁₀O₄) initiator in three different weight ratios of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0%. The maximum polymer grafting of about 83% was obtained in nanocomposite initiated by 2.0% ratio of BPO. The surface modification of nanocomposites was carried out using hydroxyl amine hydrochloride (NH₂OH·HCl). The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller technique. The copper removal tendency of nanocomposites was studied by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The maximum adsorption of copper was 86%, which could be achieved by nanocomposites synthesized with 2% initiator. The results have revealed the practical potential of the prepared PCN as efficient adsorbents.