We report the synthesis and characterization of highly exfoliated polyolefin block copolymer nanocomposites via Surface-Initiated Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (SI-ROMP). ROMP-active hydrophobic montmorillonite (MMT) clay surfaces were prepared through ion exchange with a  norbornene-terminated alkyl-ammonium surfactant. We were then able to polymerize block copolymer brushes of (substituted) norbornene (e.g., ethylidene norbornene) and cyclopentene via SI-ROMP using a Grubbs catalyst.  Subsequent hydrogenation yielded highly crystalline linear polyethylene block and rubbery saturated polynorbornene block. Nanocomposites were characterized for thermal (TGA, DSC), morphological (XRD, TEM), and mechanical (DMA, Rheology) properties. A fraction of the polymer brushes were removed from their substrate by reverse ion exchange with a salt and then characterized in parallel with their corresponding nanocomposite analogs. In this way we were able to assess the role of the filler particle in the thermal properties, melt rheology, morphology, and tensile properties.

Layered silicate nanocomposites with polyolefin diblock copolymers

248th National Meeting (2014)

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