Preparation of polyacrylamide and gamma-zirconium phosphate nanocomposites by intercalative polymerization

A new inorganic–organic nanocomposite of polyacrylamide (PAM) and gamma-zirconium phosphate (γ-ZrP) was prepared by intercalative polymerization. Intercalation of acrylamide (AM) monomer in γ-ZrP was investigated by sonochemical and refluxing methods. High-intensity ultrasound does not induce the polymerization of AM but enhances greatly the intercalation rate. On the other hand, ultrasound also enhanced hydrolyzation of –CONH2 and shrinkage of PAM gel. The interlayer distance of AM-intercalated γ-ZrP is 16.4 Å. The polymerization and intercalation of AM occurred nearly at the same time by refluxing method. The same γ-ZrP/PAM nanocomposites were obtained with (NH4)2S2O8 treatment.