Size-Controlled and Surface-Modified LDH Nanofillers Enable Multifunctional Transparent PMMA Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal Stability and UV Shielding
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 32023, Taiwan
- 2Center for Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 32023, Taiwan
- 3R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 32023, Taiwan
- 4Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Technology Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Abstract
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were prepared via emulsion polymerization to investigate the effects of LDH platelet size and surface modification on nanocomposite structure and performance. Size-controlled MgAl-LDH and ZnAl-LDH were synthesized by aqueous co-precipitation, organically modified with various interlayer agents, and incorporated into the PMMA matrix. Structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that nanoscale LDH dispersion could be achieved at low filler loadings (1–3 phr), whereas increasing the LDH content to 5 phr promoted significant platelet aggregation. Notably, a high degree of LDH intercalation did not necessarily translate into improved dispersion. Despite exhibiting the greatest interlayer expansion, CDS-modified LDHs showed inferior dispersion and thermal performance, indicating that interfacial compatibility rather than interlayer spacing is the primary factor governing nanocomposite morphology and properties. The optimized PMMA/LDH nanocomposites retained over 85% visible-light transmittance while exhibiting a 27% enhancement in UV-shielding efficiency, improved thermal stability as evidenced by an increased decomposition temperature (T5d), and a higher storage modulus relative to neat PMMA. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic control of LDH platelet size and surface chemistry provides an effective strategy for developing highly dispersed PMMA nanocomposites with simultaneously enhanced optical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
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BibTeX
@article{tsai2026sizecontrolled,
title = {{Size-Controlled and Surface-Modified LDH Nanofillers Enable Multifunctional Transparent PMMA Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal Stability and UV Shielding}},
author = {Tsung-Yen Tsai and Pin-Yu Chiang and Shao-An Yeh and Reza Bahrami and Hung-Jue Sue},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/ijms272110037},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/10037},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Size-Controlled and Surface-Modified LDH Nanofillers Enable Multifunctional Transparent PMMA Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal Stability and UV Shielding
AU - Tsung-Yen Tsai
AU - Pin-Yu Chiang
AU - Shao-An Yeh
AU - Reza Bahrami
AU - Hung-Jue Sue
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/09
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms272110037
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/10037
AB - Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were prepared via emulsion polymerization to investigate the effects of LDH platelet size and surface modification on nanocomposite structure and performance. Size-controlled MgAl-LDH and ZnAl-LDH were synthesized by aqueous co-precipitation, organically modified with various interlayer agents, and incorporated into the PMMA matrix. Structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that nanoscale LDH dispersion could be achieved at low filler loadings (1–3 phr), whereas increasing the LDH content to 5 phr promoted significant platelet aggregation. Notably, a high degree of LDH intercalation did not necessarily translate into improved dispersion. Despite exhibiting the greatest interlayer expansion, CDS-modified LDHs showed inferior dispersion and thermal performance, indicating that interfacial compatibility rather than interlayer spacing is the primary factor governing nanocomposite morphology and properties. The optimized PMMA/LDH nanocomposites retained over 85% visible-light transmittance while exhibiting a 27% enhancement in UV-shielding efficiency, improved thermal stability as evidenced by an increased decomposition temperature (T5d), and a higher storage modulus relative to neat PMMA. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic control of LDH platelet size and surface chemistry provides an effective strategy for developing highly dispersed PMMA nanocomposites with simultaneously enhanced optical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -