Dual epoxide modification of α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets, coupled with surface-initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ARGET-ATRP), was performed in a mild condition to prepare poly(methylmethacrylate) grafted ZrP nanoplatelets (ZrP-g-PMMA) for dispersion in PMMA matrix. By systematically controlling the grafting density and brush length of PMMA on ZrP nanoparticles, various types of polymer brush morphology including mushroom, semi-dilute polymer brush and concentrated polymer brush regimes were prepared and identified. The mechanical and rheological behaviors of the PMMA nanocomposites containing various types and loading level of ZrP-g-PMMA were investigated. The implication of the present finding for interfacial design of nanoplatelets for the development of high-performance multifunctional polymer nanocomposites is discussed.

High performance PMMA nanocomposites based on PMMA-grafted α-Zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets

ACS Spring 2022

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