Halogenated methacrylate-based aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanocomposites

Abstract

The aim of the work is to prepare the halogenated methacrylate-based polymer nano-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) composites and to study the effect of incorporated nano-Al2O3 on morphological and thermal studies. A functional 2,4,6-tribromophenyl methacrylate- co-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer microspheres (poly(TBPMA- co-GMA); pTG) by emulsion solvent evaporation techniques, whereas (2,4,6-tribromophenyl methacrylate- co-glycidyl methacrylate)-Al2O3 nanocomposites (pTG-Al2O3 nanocomposites) were prepared by solution mixing techniques. The pTG and its Al2O3 nanocomposites were structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Thermal studies of pTG and its Al2O3 nanocomposites were carried out by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry . The molecular weight of the pTG was determined by gel permeation chromatography. The size distribution and morphology of the pTG and its Al2O3 nanocomposites were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR results reveal that there is no significant interaction between the polymer matrix and Al2O3 nanoparticle. The significant increase in the initial decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature of pTG-Al2O3 nanocomposites compared to its polymer was due to the incorporation of nano-Al2O3 in the polymer matrix. The SEM observation provides the information about the morphological changes that arise in polymer matrix due to the incorporation of nano-Al2O3.