ABSTRACT
The development of the polymer composites with controllable properties is one of priority areas in the modern chemistry and materials science. A promising method for modifying polymers is in fact associated with inorganic particles along with polymer matrix. The produced composites can acquire novel physical and chemical properties: thermal, electrical, strength, etc.
In the present chapter, we describe the study results of the thermal behavior of polymer composites based on polystyrene (PS). Inorganic particles such as fullerenes, silica, bentonite, and bentonite-magnetite were chosen as fillers. As a matter of fact, a solvent casting of main elements from targeted solutions was considered for the preparation of the PS/filler film composites containing 0–7 wt.% of filler. Pure PS films and PS granules were also researched.
By applying the DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), we can easily inspect the polymeric materials (i.e., the phase transitions from the glassy state to the elastic state). New data connected to the impact of filler (in low weight fraction) on the glass transition temperature, T g, of composites were found.
4To be able to study the (TS) thermal stability of PS/filler composites at high temperatures, we have applied the reliable Thermogravimetry (TG) method. We have also investigated dependency of the typical thermal destruction temperatures on nature and concentration of the filler in the composite studied. Applying the Van Krevelen method carried out the kinetic analysis of the recorded thermo-gravimetric curves. The main parameters determining the rate constant of the process (activation energy, pre-exponential factor) were found, and their dependences on the composition of the composites were analyzed.
These studies are of great importance for environmental protection, since a substantial amount of dangerous elements can be discharged in the course of thermal degradation of polymers.
