Thermal and fire studies on polystyrene-clay nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of polystyrene and several organophilic clays have been prepared by a bulk polymerization technique. The resulting polymers have an intercalated structure and show enhanced thermal stability, as measured by thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry, relative to virgin polystyrene, even when as little as 0.1% of clay has been added. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry