TITLE:
Preparation and Characterization of Clay (Maghnite-H)/Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Composites
AUTHORS:
Affaf Megherbi, Rachid Meghabar, Mohammed Belbachir
KEYWORDS:
Poly(3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene); PEDOT; Clay; Maghnite-H; Montmorillonite
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Surface Engineered Materials and Advanced Technology,
Vol.3 No.1,
January
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: Composites of Maghnite-H, a Montmorillonite sheet silicate clay, exchanged with protons, and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were prepared by in situ chemical polymerization of the 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, without the use of solvent or oxidant. The effect of changing monomer/clay ratio was studied and the resultant composite structures were characterized by Inferred spectroscopy, 27Al and 13CSolid-State NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. All analyses are consistent with a structure were the polymer is (partially) intercalated into the clay structure, which in favourable cases lead to exfoliation. The presence of the clay in the polymer leads to a desired increase in thermal stability as witnessed by thermogravimetry.