ABSTRACT

Serials of polystyrene/SiO₂ Nano composites (PS/SiO₂) with different content of inorganic fillers were successfully prepared by the in situ bulk radical polymerization of styrene under microwave irradiation. The effect of the amount of Nano SiO₂ on the properties of the PS/SiO₂ Nanocomposites along with the average relative molecular masses (Mn, Mz and Mw) was investigated by thermal analysis and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Their structural model was proposed on the basis of the Optical Microscopy, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The dispersion of nanoparticles in Polystyrene is observed in the magnified image. The effect of microwave irradiation power on molecular weight of polystyrene was also studied. It was found that, the microwave assisted reaction needs less time as compare to conventional polymerization and found to be in between 10 to 15 min.

Keywords:

Nanocomposites, In-Situ Polymerization, Bulk Polymerization, Nano SiO₂

1. Introduction

The use of microwave irradiation in synthesis of organic compounds has become increasingly popular within the pharmaceutical and academic areas, because it is a new emerging technology for enhanced synthesis reactions and development [1] . Presently, temperature driven organic reactions take place by either of two ways: Conventional heating or microwave-accelerated heating. In the first type, all the reactants are slowly activated by a conventional external heat source through which heat is driven into the substance passing via walls and ultimately to the solvent and reactants. This is a slow and inefficient method for transferring heat into the reacting system. In the second type, microwaves couple directly with the molecules of the entire reaction mixture which leads to rapid rise in the reaction temperature. Since this type of heating is independent of material conductivity instantaneous localized heating can be achieved. It is considered as the new synthetic route for polymerization of monomers [2] [3] .

Before discussing the synthesis route and properties of nano-composites one has to take into account the effect of small size of nano-particles. Nano-composites are new class of composites derived from the ultrafine inorganic particles having dimensions typically in the range of few micrometers that are dispersed in the polymer matrix homogeneously [4] . Due to outstanding properties, such kinds of materials are seeking the attention of academic and industrial researchers. These materials advantages of both polymers and ceramics or glasses having combined properties such as flexibility, toughness, ease processing, hardness, durability and thermal stability [5] .

Organic/inorganic based composites have gained considerable attention and are been significantly studied over a long time. Among the inorganic materials, SiO₂ is viewed as being very important among both biological and synthetic materials. The silica has extremely large specific surface area, which enhances the connection between the filler and the polymer matrix [6] . It is well known that the thermal stabilities of the polymeric materials could be improved by addition of inorganic nano-fillers [7] . However, the inorganic nano-fillers have poor dispersibility in the polymer matrix because their surface properties. So, the newer methods are applied for improved dispersion of such inorganic fillers.

To achieve uniform properties in one step process with minimum possible impurities and defects, in situ reactions are being used more to produce different polymers. Free- radical polymerization being the most important technique in the industry is largely focused to be made via in situ reactions [8] . For example, different polymerization reactions such as free-radical polymerization of methyl methaacrylate with benzoyl peroxide as initiator [1] , copolymerization of styrene and methyl methaacrylate with dibenzoyl peroxide as initiator [9] , preparation of nano-composites of polystyrene/silica [10] [11] and composites of polystyrene/flyash [12] have been studied under in situ reactions.

In this work we report a single step process for the synthesis of nano-composites SiO₂/PS through in situ polymerization of different concentrations of SiO₂ in polystyrene. The nanostructure, composition and molecular weight were also evaluated.

2. Experimental

2.1. Material

Styrene (Commercials Grade) was supplied by local supplier, India used as the monomer. Nano SiO₂ having size range 1 - 2 nm was procured from local supplier. AIBN (α,α’-Azobisisobutyronitrile) having M.W: 164.21 and 99% assay was purchased from SAS Chemical, Mumbai. Toluene and methanol was purchased from S.D Fine chemicals, Mumbai.

2.2. Method-Polymerization of Styrene with SiO₂ Microwave Irradiation

2.2.1. Microwave Reactor Details

The Microwave reactor used in the present work was MAS-II, SINEO microwave chemistry technology, china as shown in Figure 1. Dynamically adjustable Microwave power between 0 - 1000 W to generate non-pulse and continuous microwave heating based on the temperature of the reaction mixture. The other configuration of Micro- wave Reactor was IR temperature sensor which supports internal and surface tem- perature monitoring of reactant. High precision IR temperature sensor provides high sensitivity and no time lags, generating a safe and convenient operating platform for microwave organic synthesis application.

2.2.2. Microwave Heating Reaction Procedure

Bulk polymerisation was carried out in closed borosilicate reaction vessel (250 mL capacity) in a microwave oven capable of magnetic stirring and heating according to the temperature settings. The MW power input was optimized by varying the power from 50 - 400 W in order to study the effect of MW power on conversion of reaction. However the temperature was checked from time to time to ensure it has not exceeded its range. Hence, an Infrared thermometer was used to check the temperature of the reaction mixture accurately. Power settings were based on adjustments according to temperature of reaction needed. The mixture was kept for 10 - 15 minute cycles [13] [14] [15] . Figure 2 shows the entire scheme of the process carried out.

The optimal condition for Polymerization of styrene was achieved at a reaction time of 10 to 15 min and temperature of 90˚C with AIBN as a catalyst. The following MW

power were used; 400, 600 keeping other parameters constant (mole ratio, temperature, rpm, time). Before the starting of reaction the nano SiO₂ was mixed in liquid styrene monomer in order to ensure better dispersion followed by the addition of initiator. The photograph of the nano-composite prepared is shown in the Figure 3. Effect of increasing the power on reaction conversion will be examined. The MW power giving maximum conversion in minimum time will be finalized.

2.3. Testing and Characterization

2.3.1. Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy Analysis (FTIR)

The synthesized samples along with raw material were analyzed using a Bruker ALPHA (Eco-ATR) FTIR spectrometer. The transmission mode was used to obtain the IR of the samples. The scan range used was 4500 cm⁻¹ to 600 cm⁻¹. The FTIR of MWPS@400W 0% SiO₂ was done.

2.3.2. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

Differential scanning calorimetry (Q 100 DSC, TA instruments Ltd., India) characterization was done in the temperature range of −30˚C to 200˚C as per the ASTM E 2161-08 Standard Terminology Relating to Performance Validation in Thermal Analysis to study the crystallization and melting behavior of the composite [16] . The samples were first heated from −30˚C to 200˚C to remove the residual thermal stress in the samples and then held at 200˚C for 3 min prior to cooling to room temperature followed by further heating (second heating cycle) till 200˚C. Scanning rate was maintained constant at 10˚C/min for both heating and cooling cycle with nitrogen gas purge rate at 50 ml/min. Crystallization temperature (Tc) was determined from cooling scan while melting temperature from the second heating scan.

2.3.3. X-Ray Diffraction

The XRD analysis was accomplished to find out the percentage crystallinity and

orientation in the prepared composite. The A normal focus copper X-ray tube was operated at 30 kV and 15 mA. Sample scanning was done from 2˚ to 80˚ at the rate of 3˚/min. The crystallinity was estimated by applying the peak-area integration method on the data generated by Jade 6.0 software.

2.3.4. Gel Permeation Chromatography

GPC was used for determination of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The molecular weight was obtained by running 0.8 weight % polymer in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 30˚C. THF was used as the eluent phase. Using narrow distribution standards the elution volumes were converted to apparent molecular weights. Agilent 1260 Infinity GPC/SEC System was for determination of Molecular weight.

3. Result and Discussion

The effects of the microwave radiation and different loading of Nano SiO₂ were investigated and the results were shown below. The percent conversion of unfilled styrene is near to 60% when the microwave powers used were higher than 400 W. As the bulk polymerization of polystyrene having an exothermic reaction in order to avoid the overshoot of temperature, 400 W was selected the optimum power for further reaction. The effects of the amount of Nano SiO₂ added were investigated in the range of 1% to 7% at the interval of 2. It was found that the carbon content (%) of styrene was around 100% when AIBN was added higher than 12 mg. The percent conversion achieved its maximum of 60% when a 1% AIBN was added. Thus it can be said that with higher amount of initiator higher % conversion could be achieved. However, this also induces that lower molecular weight polymers are formed.

The procedure used in present work is much simpler than the anionic polymerization technique. The resulting product of the free-radical polymerization of styrene under microwave irradiation could be used as nano-composites directly because of the higher conversion of styrene in spite of such a short polymerizing time. The vibration bands corresponding to polystyrene (aromatic C-H stretching vibrations in polystyrene at 2915, 3020, 3086, 755 and 698 cm⁻¹, the aliphatic C-H stretch at 2915 and 2845 cm⁻¹ and C-C vibrations in styrene at 1447 and 1489 cm⁻¹) were all found in the FTIR spectrum of the resulting MWPS (Figure 2). It showed that the polystyrene had been grafted onto the surfaces of the silica nano-particles successfully which could also improve the dispersibility of silica nano-particles in polystyrene or organic solvent such as toluene (Figure 4).

The XRD patterns of PS/SiO₂ composite with different percentage of SiO₂ loading shown in Figure 5. It can be observed that the pattern of all PS/SiO₂ with different SiO₂ loading are completely similar and have the same peaks because the SiO₂ peak has been overlapped by PS peak. According to this figure, they have only different peak intensities. Existence of silica nano-particles in composite structure is verified by decreasing the intensity of peaks in PS/SiO₂ pattern. As shown in Figure 5, the intensity of the highest peak in neat PS pattern has decreased from 2700 to 1500 in PS/ SiO₂ composite.

The microstructures of the nano SiO₂ in the PS/SiO₂ nano-composite are shown in the Figure 6. It can be observed that all the nano-fillers are dispersed in the composite even if some aggregates can be noticed. Further, it can be considered that nano-struc- tures are achieved.

The molecular weight distribution of Polystyrene synthesis via microwave is shown in Table 1. The weight average molecular weight is 80,393 and poly dispersity index is 2341 obtained. The thermal stability properties of the PS/SNs nano-composites were characterized by the differential scanning calorimetry and the results were shown in Table 2. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the resulting product of the polymerization of styrene were the lowest. While, the glass transition temperatures of the PS/SNs nano-composites increased with the increasing of the amounts of the Nano

SiO₂ in the experimental range. It showed that the thermal stability of the nano-com- posites with chemical bonds between the polymeric matrices and the nano-fillers are better than the pure polymeric materials and those without chemical bonds. Hence it can be concluded that the interface properties had been improved by the microwave assisted reaction.

4. Conclusion

Controlled Microwave irradiations have significant effects in the polystyrene synthesis under solvent-free condition. Irradiating at intense microwave powers namely, higher than 500 W, causes increase in temperature leading to significant decrement in the product yields. Reaction products are easy to use for further application and the method is simple, convenient and eco-friendly. The effect of Nano SiO₂ loading was variied and catayst, time, tempreture was kept constant. The effect of Nano SiO₂ on reaction was also carried out.In the Polystyrene/Nano SiO₂ Nancomposite preparation, the higher Tg was observed for 3% loading of SiO₂. Also the percent crystallinity goes decreasing with higher loading of Nano SiO₂. The percent conversion of 60% was obtained at 1% loading of AIBN in 15 min at 90˚C. Hence it can be said that higher conversions can be achieved by the proposed method as the proposed method was simpler and more convenient than the other reported methods.

Cite this paper

Samarth, N., Mehta, L., Kamble, V., Kulkarni, M. and Mahanwar, P. (2016) Thermal Stability and Crystallinity Study of Polystyrene/SiO₂ Nano-Composites Synthesis via Microwave-Assisted In Situ Polymerization. Open Journal of Synthesis Theory and Applications, 5, 15-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojsta.2016.52002

References