Plasticizing Properties Improvement of Poly (4-Vinylpyridine)/Clay Composites: Effect of Composition and Clay Nature

Abstract A significant number of investigations have been reported on the elaboration and characterization of Polymer/Clays composites, via different methods. In our work, new composites materials were successfully prepared by in-situ polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP), in presence of two different types of Algerian modified clays (Maghnia and Mostaganem), noted (BC) and (MC), respectively. Different percentage clays (1 wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt%) have been used. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis reveals the variation of glass transition temperature (Tg) of the copolymer in the composite materials. We show a decrease glass transition temperature (Tg) from 147°C to 131°C for P4VP-BC and from 147°C to 124°C for P4VP-MC according to the increase percentage of clays. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows good stability of composite materials at high temperature. Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and 1H NMR spectroscopy are used to show the presence of the clays in the materials.