Enhanced crystallization of Bisphenol-A polycarbonate by organoclay in the presence of sulfonated polystyrene ionomers

Polycarbonate (PC)/sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) ionomer/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by a solution intercalation process using the SPS ionomer as a compatibilizer. The effect of an organoclay on the melt crystallization behavior of the ionomer compatibilized PC were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The melt crystallization behavior of PC was dependent on the extent of organoclay dispersion. The effect of the ionomer loading and cation size on intercalation/exfoliation efficiency of the organoclay in PC/SPS ionomer matrix was also studied using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dispersion of the organically modified clay in the polymer matrix improved with increasing ionomer compatibilizer loadings and cation size. The SPS ionomer compatibilized PC/organoclay nanocomposite showed enhanced melt crystallization compared to the SPS ionomer/PC blend. Well dispersed organoclay nanocomposites showed better crystallization than the poorly dispersed clay nanocomposites. These nanocomposites also showed better thermal stability than the SPS ionomer/PC blend.