Monolithic Polymeric Aerogels with Organically Modified Clays and Graphite Oxide Nanofillers

Summary In this contribution the preparation of composite syndiotactic polystyrene (s-PS) monolithic aerogels with nanofillers such as organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and graphene oxide (GO) is described. In these aerogels the crystallites that constitute the physical knots exhibit a nanoporous-crystalline form. The aerogels preparation procedure allows the inclusion of also large amount of nanofillers, without aggregation, at least up to a content of 20 wt.%. This allows to improve mechanical and electrical properties of the nanoporous-crystalline aerogels of s-PS, which are particularly suitable to remove selectively traces of pollutants from water and air. Composite aerogels exhibiting large nanofiller content, can be also used as masterbatches for polymer composites.