Abstract
The effect of organofunctional silane coupling agents on the morpho-structural (XRD) and thermal (TGA) characteristics of the organically modified montmorillonite was examined. The modification of the organosilicates was carried out using organofunctional silane coupling agents in ethanol. The obtained results demonstrate the interaction of the silane-coupling agents with the organosilicate layers. The thermal stability and the basal spacing of the organosilicates increases with silane coupling agent’s concentrations. Using organosilicate modified with functionalized coupling agent PP based nanocomposites with enhanced thermal stability and a more disordered lamellar structure were obtained. Keywords: organically modified montmorillonite, silane coupling agents, polymer nanocomposites