Poly (butyl methacrylate)-based composites with modified clay: in situ synthesis, thermal and functional properties, and antibacterial properties

Abstract Poly (butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) and sodium montmorillonite (Mag@Na) composites were synthesized using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator, in order to study the influence of the clay layers on the properties of the composites. The structural and morphological properties were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), while the thermal and textural behavior of the samples was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gas adsorption-desorption (BET). The presence of Mag@Na allowed for optimal intercalation of the monomers within the clay galleries, thus creating a hybrid microstructure characterized by both high interlayer spacing and a highly developed surface morphology. Furthermore, the incorporation of Mag@Na led to the formation of a dense polymer-clay network, offering better thermal performance while allowing the creation of a micro/mesoporous structure that can be adapted. The incorporation of Mag@Na also significantly reduced the water absorption and moisture retention of pure PBMA. In a broader context, this research demonstrates that in situ organo-inorganic hybridization is an optimal strategy for developing multifunctional materials based on PBMA and clay, offering optimized structural, thermal, and antibacterial properties that could find applications in the fields of packaging, coatings, and antimicrobial surfaces.