Encapsulation of Clay Within Polymer Particles in a High Solids Aqueous Dispersion

PERUZZO, P.J.; FERNÁNDEZ, M.; PAULIS, M.; LEIZA, J.R.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; X Simposio Argentino de Polímeros; 2013

Nanoclay/polyvinyl acetate waterborne colloid adhesives were prepared by using a two-step polymerization process. First, seed polymer particles with clay were obtained by batch miniemulsion polymerization. Then, the clay was buried within the particles by the addition of neat monomer in a second step. The final stable dispersions have 50 wt % of solids content. TEM images clearly show the presence of clay platelets inside the polymer colloids, although not totally exfoliated. The obtained nanocomposites showed an increase in the storage modulus at rubbery state. In addition, the incorporation of nanoclay produced adhesive materials with higher water resistance. The approach presented in this work might be useful to encapsulate other high aspect ratio nanofillers