Preparation and characterization of polynorbornene/sepiolite hybrid nanocomposite films

Polynorbornene/sepiolite hybrid nanocomposite films were prepared using polynorbornene dicarboximide and modified sepiolite with 3- aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APTES). Exo-N-(3,5-dichlorophenylnorbornene)-5,6-dicarboxyimide (monomer) and their copolymers were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization using ruthenium catalysts. Subsequently, the surface-modified sepiolite by 3-APTES was mixed with the polynorbornene copolymers to prepare hybrid nanocomposite films. The modified sepiolite particles were well dispersed in N,N-dimethylacetamide and distributed randomly throughout the polynorbornene matrix in the hybrid films, which enhanced the dimensional stability and mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of the polynorbornene/sepiolite hybrid nanocomposite films. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry