Self-assembled nanofibrillar gel network toughened PMMA nanocomposite by in situ thermal polymerization of MMA gel

Tough and transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites with the impact strength and breaking elongation 1.6 and 9.6 times higher than that of pure PMMA, separately, are obtained through in situ thermal polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) gels with dumbbell-like organogelators (G1-alkyl). G1-alkyl is designed and synthesized with long alkyl chains at the periphery, which can self-assemble into three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrillar gel networks in MMA monomers during the gelation process. PMMA nanocomposites are obtained through in situ thermal polymerization of MMA gels, whose gel networks are well-dispersed in polymer matrix because of the good compatibility and survived after the polymerization process, verified by SEM studies. Mechanical analysis indicates that only a small amount of gelator addition can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the obtained nanocomposites, and the maximum value of impact strength and breaking elongation is achieved with 1.0   wt% gelator concentration. In particular, UV–vis spectrophotometer and Archimedes drainage method indicates the PMMA nanocomposites maintain the advantage of good optical transparency and lightweight.