In order to prepare vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate(VDC-MA) copolymer/layered double hydroxide(LDH) nanocomposites with intercalated or exfoliated LDH structure

reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer living radical polymerization of VDC-MA were carried out in the presence of LDH intercalated with S

S'-bis('-dimethyl--acetic acid)-trithiocarbonate anion groups(CTA-LDH).The structure and properties of CTA-LDH and VDC-MA copolymer/LDH nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

elemental analysis

transmission electron microscopy

gel permeation chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis.It was found that the layer spacing of LDH changed from 0.89 nm to 1.50 nm as CTA anion groups intercalated into LDH through the ion-exchange reaction.The average molecular weight of VDC-MA copolymers was decreased as the amount of intercalated CTA increased

confirming the living nature of VDC-MA copolymerizations.LDH could be gradually exfoliated in the process of in situ RAFT polymerization

and dispersed in VDC-MA copolymer matrix in the form of nanolaminates.The TGA data evidenced that the thermal degradation temperatures of VDC-MA copolymer/LDH nanocomposites were increased as the weight fraction of incorporated LDH increased.