Research Information System
Journal of Molecular Structure, vol.1367, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Poly(styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) (SEBS)–based nanocomposites were prepared via the melt intercalation method using pristine sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT), Na-MMT modified through in-situ polymerization of cationic monomers, and commercially available organoclays (I31 PS and I44 P) as nanofillers. Polypropylene (PP) and paraffinic oil (PO) were incorporated as compatibilizers to enhance the processability of the SEBS matrix. The structural properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), while their mechanical, thermal, and rheological behaviours were systematically investigated. XRD analysis revealed maximum interlayer spacings of 2.28 nm and 2.34 nm for nanocomposites containing Na-MMT modified with [2-(methacryloxy)-ethyl]-trimethylammonium chloride (METMAC) and [3-(methacryloamino)-propyl]-trimethylammonium chloride (MPTMAC), respectively. Partially exfoliated nanostructures were achieved in SEBS/PP/PO systems incorporating 5 wt% of METMAC- and MPTMAC-modified Na-MMT after 36 h of polymerization. These nanocomposites exhibited superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to those prepared with commercially modified clays. The free volume hole size of the nanocomposites, determined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), was found to decrease with increasing modified clay content.