Effect of nanoclay on dispersion, thermal stability, optical and burning behavior of sulfonated poly (1,4-phenylene ether ether sulfone)–nanoclay blends

A novel hydrophobic, thermoset film-forming polymer poly (1,4-phenylene ether ether sulfone) (PEES) was sulfonated on its polymer backbone by using conc H₂SO₄. The nanocomposite of sulfonated PEES (SPEES) was formed by using pretreated nanoclay with different loading labels 2.5%, 5% and 10% and was cast in the form of films. Pure PEES, SPEES, pure nanoclay and SPEES nanocomposites were characterized by using FTIR and UV–visible spectrophotometry. The thermal behavior of pure SPEES and SPEES nanoclay composites was studied by using thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter. It was found that by using nanoclay as filler, the thermal decomposition of SPEES–nanoclay composite increases compared to that of neat SPEES. The Tg shows wide variations with different loading labels of the nanoclay. Increase in UV absorption with the addition of nanoclay loading level was studied by using UV spectrophotometry.