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Poly(methyl methacrylate) films and poly(methyl methacrylate)/fullerene composite films were fabricated by casting from toluene solutions. The mass fraction of fullerene (C60) was varied from 0.05-3 wt. %. The effect of the fullerene (C60) content on the thermal degradation parameters of the composite films was evaluated by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. It was found that the incorporation of C60 improved the thermal stability of the polymers. The films eventually decomposed in three stages. Incorporation of fullerene caused a change in the distribution of mass loss over the stages of degradation in comparison with the pristine polymer. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the phase transitions from the glassy state to the elastic one was studied for the examined polymeric materials. New data relating to the effect of C60 on the glass transition temperature of composites with low weight fractions of filler were obtained. Specifically, for films containing up to 0.1 wt. % of C60, a single glass transition temperature was found, whereas for composites with a higher concentration of filler, two glass transition temperatures were recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polystyrene composite films with different content of C + C fullerene mix have been obtained from o-xylene solutions. The mass fraction of fullerene was varied from 0.01 to 0.1 mass%. The glass transition temperatures and specific heat capacities in range of 293-423 K have been determined for the films by DSC method. The plasticization of the polymer is observed in thermal properties of the films under influence of small fullerene additions. The values of T and C decrease and thermal coefficient of heat capacity b increase as fullerene content increases up to 0.02 mass%. The effect of interaction between polymer and fullerene molecules on thermal properties becomes evident at higher fullerene content in range from 0.02 to 0.1 mass%. At this the values of T and C increase and b coefficient decrease with increasing content of fullerene. Concentration dependence of C and b values is less steep for polymer composite films in elastic state at temperatures above T. Molecular interactions in the composites are discussed in view of our-self and literature data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of montmorillonite K10 (MMT K10) and ionic liquid (IL) containing a 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium cation ([BMIm]+) and various anions, such as bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([NTf2]−), trifluoromethanesulfonate ([OTf]−), and dicyanamide ([DCA]−) have been obtained in this work. A number of methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption have been used to characterize clay, and to study the structure and thermal behaviour of the composites. It has been found that the MMT K10 powder has a narrow particle size distribution with a peak at 246 nm and a mesoporous structure (SBET=195 m2/g). According to the FTIR spectra, MMT K10/IL interaction depends on the IL type. It has been identified that confined ionic liquid interacts with both clay and adsorbed water in accordance with the hydrophilicity and size of the anion, in the following order: [DCA]− > [OTf]− > [NTf2]−. Characteristic temperatures of glass transition, crystallization, and melting have been determined for the ionic liquids under study and their MMT K10 composites. It has been revealed that when IL is adsorbed on the surface of clay, the phase transitions in IL change. The greatest changes are observed in the case of BMImNTf2. By applying the method of thermogravimetric analysis, it is shown that composite formation is accompanied by a decrease in the IL thermal stability. Apparently, the highly developed surface of montmorillonite K10, obtained by acid treatment, plays a major role in the decrease in the IL's thermal stability. The influence of the IL anion on the thermal and spectral characteristics of an MMT K10/IL composite was studied for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]