Photooxidative behavior of polystyrene–montmorillonite nanocomposites

The weathering behavior of polystyrene and polystyrene–montmorillonite composites containing 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt% of montmorillonite (MMT) was investigated. Samples were exposed to UV radiation for periods of up to ∼12 weeks and their molecular weight, chemical changes, and mechanical properties were monitored as a function of time. The addition of MMT was shown to improve the photostability of all composites investigated, probably because of a screen effect against UV radiation and barrier effect against diffusion of oxygen promoted by the silicate layers of MMT. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces of degraded samples showed that there is a degraded layer near the surface that provided a recovery of tensile strength of the samples. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers