Nanocomposites of poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene naphthalate) with organoclay

Poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐ethylene naphthalate) (PETN)/organoclay was synthesized with the solution intercalation method. Hexadecylamine was used as an organophilic alkylamine in organoclay. Our aim was to clarify the intercalation of PETN chains to hexadecylamine–montmorillonite (C16–MMT) and to improve both the thermal stability and tensile property. We found that the addition of only a small amount of organoclay was enough to improve the thermal stabilities and mechanical properties of PETN/C16–MMT hybrid films. Maximum enhancement in both the ultimate tensile strength and initial modulus for the hybrids was observed in blends containing 4 wt % C16–MMT. Below a 4 wt % clay loading, the clay particles could be highly dispersed in the polymer matrix without a large agglomeration of particles. However, an agglomerated structure did form in the polymer matrix at a 6 wt % clay content. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2581–2588, 2001