Nanocomposites of polybenzoxazine and exfoliated montmorillonite using a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane surfactant and click chemistry

In this study, an exfoliated montmorillonite was introduced into a benzoxazine matrix—prepared from paraformaldehyde, aniline, and phenol—to form polymer/exfoliated clay nanocomposites. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements revealed the structures and thermal and mechanical properties of these polybenzoxazine/clay nanocomposites; the montmorillonite was exfoliated into nanoparticles (single sheets or layers) that were dispersed in the polybenzoxazine matrix. The incorporation of the exfoliated montmorillonite improved the polymer’s glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures, mechanical properties, and surface hydrophobicity.