Preparation and Characterization of Organoclay Filled Polysulfone Nanocomposites

Organo-modified fluorohectorite (OFH) clay filled polysulfone (PSf) nanocomposite films were prepared by solution casting method. The morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface properties assessed by contact angle measurements showed significant increase in hydrophobicity of the nanocomposites relative to the virgin polymer. The relationship between contact angle, surface roughness, and surface chemistry was discussed. From the measured contact angle values, various surface parameters such as total surface free energy, interfacial free energy, work of adhesion, spreading coefficient, and Girifalco-Good's interaction parameter were calculated. The mechanical properties like tensile strength and elongation at break were increased considerably upon increasing the organoclay content to 3 wt%. But further increase in the clay content decreased the properties to some extent. The dielectric investigation carried out in room temperature indicated that dielectric constant of PSf/OFH clay nanocomposite films decreases with the increase of the clay content. This work describes the preparation of PSf nanocomposite with desired hydrophobic, dielectric, and mechanical properties for water repellent and electronic applications.