Factorial Design Applied for Evaluation of Effect of Interactions among Precursors on the Thermal Decomposition Temperature of Montmorillonite/Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Nanocomposites

In this work, full 24 factorial design with triplicate of the central points was used to study the effect of synthesis conditions on the temperature of thermal decomposition (T-d) of protonated montmorillonite/poly(methyl methacrylate) (H+ Mt/PMMA) nanocomposites. From combination of the independent variables such as polymer (methyl methacrylate, MMA), coupling agent (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate, TMSM), thermal polymerizing initiator (benzoyl peroxide, BPO) and clay based on protonated montmorillonite (H+ Mt), 19 samples were prepared and Td was obtained by thermogravimetry (TG). T-d values were statistically analyzed and the results presented that the sample prepared by combination of 150 mmol of MMA, 23 mmol TMSM, 0.186 mmol BPO and 0.150 g H+ Mt (named experiment 7) presented the highest Td value (381 degrees C). It was also possible to notice that the maximization/minimization of Td value is tunable in function of experimental conditions employed in the synthesis process. Partial compatibilization between PMMA and H+ Mt was noticed through structural (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)) and morphological (transmission electron microscope (TEM)) characterizations.