The effect of silica nanoparticles on the morphology, mechanical properties and thermal degradation kinetics of PMMA

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 97; no. 3; pp. 452 - 459
• Main Authors: Saladino, M.L., Motaung, T.E., Luyt, A.S., Spinella, A., Nasillo, G., Caponetti, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: 13C{1H} CP-MAS NMR; Applied sciences; Degradation; Degradation kinetics; Exact sciences and technology; Frames; Mechanical properties; Morphology; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Physicochemistry of polymers; PMMA; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymethyl methacrylates; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Technology of polymers; Thermal degradation; PMMA; 13C{1H} CP-MAS NMR; Degradation kinetics; Silica; Nanoparticle; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Mechanical properties; Polymer; Composite material; Morphology; Concentration effect; Nanocomposite; Kinetics; Spinning; Thermal degradation
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2011.11.006

Silica–PMMA nanocomposites with different silica quantities were prepared by a melt compounding method. The effect of silica amount, in the range 1–5wt.%, on the morphology, mechanical properties and thermal degradation kinetics of PMMA was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C{1H} CP-MAS NMR) and measures of proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1ρ(H)), in the laboratory frame (T1(H)) and cross-polarization times (TCH). Results showed that silica nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymeric matrix whose structure remains amorphous. The degradation of the polymer occurs at higher temperature in the presence of silica because of the interaction between the two components.