With the goal of improving chemical detection methods for buried improvised explosive devices (IED’s), the intention of this study is to show that functionalized nano-particles improve the sensing properties of a polymer applied to gas sensors. The approach was reinforcing the polymer, Nafion, with acid-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT’s). Ammonia was chosen as the analyte for its similarity to IED byproducts without the dangers of toxicity or explosion. Two sensor platforms were investigated: Quartz crystal microbalances (QCM’s) and microcantilevers (MC’s). Preliminary evaluation of treated QCM’s, via frequency analyzer, showed improvements in sensitivity and fast reversal of adsorption; and suggested increased stability. Tests with coated MC’s also supported the findings of QCM tests. Amplitude response of MC’s was on average 4 times greater when the Nafion coating contained CNT’s. Quantitative QCM testing with gas-flow meters showed that with CNT inclusion: the average number of moles adsorbed increased by 35% (>1.2 times frequency response); sensitivity improved by 0.63 Hz/ppt on average; although the detection threshold decreased marginally; but reusability was much better after extended exposures to concentrated ammonia. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

Nanocompósitos de PMMA/ argila montmorilonita foram obtidos por fotopolimerização in situ. O metacrilato de metila foi polimerizado na presença de argilas modificadas usando Tioxantona (TX) e etil 4-(dimetilamino) benzoato (EDB) como sistema fotoiniciador. As argilas montmorilonitas SWy-1 modificadas, SWy-1-C8 e SWy-1-C16, foram preparadas pela troca de íons com brometo de octiltrimetilamônio (C8) e brometo de hexiltrimetilamônio (C16), respectivamente. A difração de raios-X indicou que os compósitos de PMMA/argila podem ter estruturas intercaladas ou esfoliadas, ou mesmo uma mistura de estruturas em camadas esfoliada e parcialmente intercalada. A estrutura de cada nanocompósito depende da concentração de argila e do solvente utilizado na preparação. A influência da concentração de argila organofílica, natureza do solvente e tipo de argila nas propriedades térmicas e mecânicas foi estudada por análise termogravimétrica e análise dinâmico-mecânica. Todos os nanocompósitos preparados em acetonitrila exibiram melhora da sua estabilidade térmica, principalmente devido à interação entre a argila e o polímero que é maximizada através da estrutura da argila esfoliada. No caso do PMMA e nanocompósitos sintetizados em etanol, a estabilidade térmica do polímero e nanocompósitos foi praticamente a mesma, uma vez que a estrutura da argila é predominantemente do tipo intercalada. Na velocidade de polimerização observou-se que os fatores que mais influenciaram foram a concentração de argila e o tipo de solvente. A argila proporciona a formação de microambientes que estabilizam o estado excitado do iniciador formando mais radicais livres e consequentemente aumentando a velocidade polimerização. A utilização da acetonitrila, a qual é um melhor solvente para o PMMA proporcionou massas molares menores. A degradação foto-oxidativa dos nanocompósitos de PMMA/ argila foi investigada utilizando cromatografia de exclusão de tamanho (SEC). Foram encontradas evidências de que o PMMA e nanocompósitos degradam por cisões aleatórias de cadeias. A polidispersidade aumentou após a irradiação e o coeficiente de degradação de PMMA puro é de até seis vezes maior do que para os nanocompósitos. O efeito sobre os coeficientes de fotodegradação da concentração de argila, tipo argila (argila modificada por agentes tensoativos com diferentes comprimentos de cadeias de alquílica) e o solvente utilizado para a dispersão de argila orgânica, também foram estudados. / Montmorillonite clay/PMMA nanocomposites were obtained by in situ photopolymerization. Methyl methacrylate was polymerized in the presence of modified clays using thioxanthone (TX) and ethyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate (EDB) as photoinitiating system. The SWy-1 montmorillonite modified clays, SWy-1-C8 and SWy-1-C16, were prepared by ion exchange with octyltrimethylammonium bromide (C8) and hexyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16), respectively. X-ray diffraction indicated that clay/PMMA composites have intercalated or exfoliated structures, or even a mixture of exfoliated and partially intercalated structure layers. The structure of each particular nanocomposite depends on the clay loading and the solvent used for the preparation.The influences of organoclay loading, solvent nature and clay type on thermal and mechanical properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. All the nanocomposites prepared in acetonitrile exhibited improvement in their thermal stability, mainly due to the interaction between the clay and the polymer which is maximized by the exfoliated clay structure. In the case of PMMA and nanocomposites synthesized in ethanol, the thermal stability of polymer and nanocomposites remained practically the same once the clay structure is predominantly of the intercalated type. It was observed that the factors that most influenced the polymerization rate were the concentration of clay and type of solvent. The clay provides the formation of microenvironments that stabilizes the excited state of the initiator forming free radicals and consequently increasing the polymerization rate. The use of acetonitrile, which is a better solvent for PMMA gave the lowest molar weight. The photooxidative degradation of clay/PMMA nanocomposites has been investigated using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Evidence was found that PMMA and composites degrade by random chain scissions. The polydispersity increases after irradiation and the degradation rate coefficient for pure PMMA is up to 6 times larger than that for the composites. The effect on the photodegradation rate coefficients of the clay content, clay type (clay modified by surfactants with different lengths of alkyl chains) and solvent used for dispersion of organic clay were also studied. The relationship of these parameters on the photodegradation process was statistically evaluated using a two-level factorial design.

Novos materiais obtidos a partir de polímeros biodegradáveis são uma alternativa para a redução do impacto ambiental causado pelo uso excessivo de polímeros derivados do petróleo. Atualmente, vários estudos têm sido realizados na busca de matéria-prima para o desenvolvimento de filmes biodegradáveis, com boa viabilidade técnica e econômica. Dentre estas matérias-primas, destacam-se as que são provenientes de fontes renováveis, de baixo custo e que tenham grande importância econômica e ambiental, como, por exemplo, o amido, as argilas, e a quitosana. Nos filmes que preparamos, adicionamos como plastificante a glicerina, um subproduto do biodiesel, e que contribui para maior estabilidade térmica dos filmes, em conjunto com o amido. O propósito deste trabalho foi o preparo de um biopolímero a base de quitosana e argila com propriedades de nanocompósitos, pois estes materiais costumam exibir propriedades físico-químicas diferenciadas em relação a outros materiais, devido à redução no seu tamanho. Sendo assim, através do estudo e comparação de duas argilas esmectíticas sódicas naturais, Bentogel e Corral, pôde-se observar o comportamento dos filmes formados em presença de amido e glicerina. Os filmes obtidos, através do método de dispersão em solução do polímero, foram caracterizados através das técnicas de DRX, MEV, IV, TG e DSC. Os resultados obtidos mostraram a formação de filmes nanocompósitos esfoliados de boa estabilidade térmica. / New materials made from biodegradable polymers are an alternative to reducing the environmental impact caused by excessive use of polymers derived from petroleum. Currently, several studies have been conducted in search of raw material for the development of biodegradable films, with good technical and economic feasibility. Among these materials, we highlight those that are from renewable resources, low cost and have great economic and environmental importance, such as, starch, clays, and chitosan. In preparing films, we added glycerol as a plasticizer, a byproduct of biodiesel, and contributes to better thermal stability of the films, together with starch. The purpose of this study was the preparation of a biopolymer based on chitosan and clay nanocomposites properties, because these materials tend to display different physico-chemical properties compared to other materials because of the reduction in size. Thus, through the study and comparison of two natural sodium smectite clays, Bentogel and Corral, it was observing the behavior of films formed in the presence of starch and glycerol. The films obtained by the method of dispersion in the polymer solution, were characterized by techniques of XRD, SEM, FTIR, TG and DSC. The results obtained showed the formation of exfoliated nanocomposites films and good thermal stability.

Nanotechnology research and its commercial applications have experienced an exponential rise in the recent decades. Although there are a lot of studies with regards to toxicity of nanoparticles, the exposure to nanoparticles, both in terms of quality and quantity, during the life cycle of nanocomposites is very much an unknown quantity and an active area of research. Unsurprisingly, the regulations governing the use and disposal of nanomaterials during its life cycle are behind the curve. This work aims to assess the quantity of nanoparticles released along the life cycle of nanocomposites. Machining operations such as milling and drilling were chosen to simulate the manufacturing of nanocomposites parts, and impact testing to recreate the end-of-life of the materials. Several studies have tried to simulate different release scenarios, however these experiments had many variables and in general were not done in controlled environments. In this study, a reliable method was developed to assess the release of nanoparticles during machining and low velocity impact of nanocomposites. The development and validation of a new prototype used for measurement and monitoring of nanoparticles in a controlled environment is presented, as along with release experiments on different nanocomposites. Every sample tested was found to release nanoparticles irrespective of the mechanical process used or the type of material tested. Even neat polymers released nanoparticles when subjected to mechanical forces. The type of matrix was identified to play a major role on the quantity of nanoparticles release during different process. Thermoset polymers (and especially polyester) were found to release a higher number concentration of particles, mainly due to their brittle properties. A polyester sample was found to release up to 48 times more particles than a polypropylene one during drilling. The nanofiller type and percentage used to reinforce the polymer is also a key point. For example, the addition of 2 wt.% of nano-alumina into polyester increases the number concentration of particles by 106 % following an impact. The nanofiller chosen and its quantity affect the mechanical properties and machinability of the composites and therefore its nanoparticles release potential. The mechanical process and the process parameters chosen were also found to be crucial with regards to the nanoparticles released with different trends observed during drilling and impact of similar materials. Finally, thermal ageing of nanocomposites increases the number concentration of nanoparticles released (by 8 to 17 times after 6 weeks).

This thesis focuses on improved processing methods for enhanced mechanical properties in polymer nanocomposites, and controlled drug release in polymer based delivery systems. Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted mixing was successfully used in preparation of polypropylene/sepiolite and polypropylene/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites. Relatively homogeneous dispersed and well separated nanofillers were obtained throughout the PP matrix. A better preservation of nanofiller lengths was observed in the scCO 2 assisted mixing. Mechanical property studies showed a marked increase in Young's modulus and tensile strength with the addition of nanofillers. More interestingly, techniques usually designed to achieve high quality PP nanocomposites, such as the use of masterbatches, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene compatibilizers or polymer coated MWNTs are not needed to achieve equivalent mechanical properties with scCO2 assisted mixing. ScCO2 was also used as a foaming technique to modify the traditional cured poly(ethyl methacrylate/tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate) system for a controlled release of chlorhexidine. Highly porous structures were produced and chlorhexidine released from scCO2 foamed samples was more than 3 times higher than traditionally cured samples. By altering the processing conditions, such as CO2 saturation time and depressurization time the CX release rate was altered. Finally, the electrospinning method was combined with the layering encapsulation technique in order to enable the incorporation of water-soluble drugs in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibres for biomedical applications. Water-soluble drug, Rhodamine 6G or protein bovine serum albumin, loaded calcium carbonate microparticles were successfully incorporated in PLGA fibres and a bead and string structured composite fibres.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T20:42:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia Bar.pdf: 1938190 bytes, checksum: bb816fc6c476b719778c8aac8bf23c41 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The cation exchange of the bentonite and its processing are important factors to the polimeric nanocomposite formulation. The objective of this work was to produce nanocomposites of polypropylene / sodium bentonite and polypropylene / organophilic bentonite through melt intercalation and analyze the degradation produced by ultraviolet irradiation. Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C17H38BrN), Cetremide®, was used to organophilize the bentonite clay. Corotating twin screw extruder was used to process the nanocomposite; injection molded specimens were used for the flexural test and optical micrographs; hot pressed samples were used for DSC, XRD and FTIR. The XRD results showed that the samples of nature bentonite obtained better interaction with de polymer rather than treated clay, and produced intercalated nanocomposite. The degradation by ultraviolet irradiation was observed after 24 hours of exposition. All the samples showed the same photoproducts and at the same proportion until 240 hours of UV exposition; at higher times, 480 hours of UV exposition, the organophilize bentonite composite showed higher degradation than other ones. The flexural modulus decreased with degradation time. The degradation occurs due chromophores impurities presented in the samples, thus samples with clay show higher degradation, and organophilic clay contains ammonium salt that contribute to increase the degradation. / A troca de cátions da bentonita e o processamento são fatores muito importantes para a formação de nanocompósitos poliméricos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi produzir nanocompósitos de polipropileno / bentonita sódica e polipropileno / bentonita organofílica pelo método de intercalação no estado fundido e avaliar a degradação devido a exposição das amostras a irradiação ultravioleta. Foi usado o sal quaternário de amônio cetil trimetilamoneobrometo (C17H38BrN), Cetremide®,para obter a bentonita organofílica. No processamento foi usado uma extrusora de rosca dupla corrotacional; para o ensaio de flexão e de microscopia ótica foram usadas amostras injetadas; para o ensaio de DSC, DRX e FTIR foram usadas amostras prensadas a quente. Os resultados de raios-X mostraram que as amostras com bentonita natural tiveram uma melhor interação com o polímero do que a argila tratada, e formaram um nanocompósito intercalado. Os efeitos dos raios ultravioleta na degradação já são perceptíveis após 24 horas de exposição. Todas as amostras apresentam os mesmo foto-produtos e na mesma proporção até 240 horas de exposição UV; com tempos maiores, 480 horas de exposição, o compósito formado pela argila organofílica apresenta uma degradação mais acentuada que os outros materiais. O módulo de flexão diminuiu com o tempo de degradação; as trincas superficiais aumentaram com o tempo de degradação. A degradação ocorre devido as impurezas cromóforas presentes nas amostras, desta forma, amostras em cuja composição tem argila são mais degradadas, e no caso da argila organofílica ainda tem a presença do sal de amônio que também contribui para o aumento da degradação.

This thesis focuses on the study of nanotechnology and its applications in immunology and mechanosensing using micro- and nano-scale topographies, such as gratings, grids, and pillar substrates. In the past five years, we have developed three types of platforms and explored the influence of nano-patterned substrates on cell morphology, proliferation, protein secretion, and mechanosensing. I will introduce the three generations of Integrated Mechanobiology Platform (IMP) for T cell study, including the fabrication process of each generation of IMP, their advantages and disadvantages, and the comparison with existing High Throughput Screening System (HTSS). For the applications of IMP, I will focus on grating and grid topographies with IMP generation 3 format, and study how these nano-patterned substrates affect T cell morphology, expansion, cytokine secretion, drug-topography combination effects on T cells and long-term expansion for adoptive immunotherapy. I will demonstrate how IMP enables such studies in a high throughput manner. I also will discuss how Multiple Stiffness Pillar Platform (MSPP) facilitates the study of mechanosensing in cells spanning across different rigidities. First, I will talk about how MSPP is different from existing dual stiffness platforms. Differences include flexibility in distribution of different rigidities, consistency in pillar dimensions and ease of controlling the stiffness fold increase. In the sections of MSPP fabrication and characterization, I will focus on measurements of stiffness change and surface chemistry uniformity. I will then discuss the Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) mechanosensing study on dual stiffness pillar substrates, including the preferential localization of rigidity sensing associated proteins (myosin IIA, phosph-myosin, paxillin, and p130CAS), MEFs actomyosin network building, and adhesion formation. These studies revealed previously undiscovered results in MEF mechanosensing, and demonstrate the great potential of MSPP in this research discipline. In the last part of this thesis, I will present on the mass production of thermoplastic nanopatterned molds. The demonstrated technology can produce large batches of nanostructured molds with decreased fabrication time and expense. In this chapter, I will discuss the necessity of developing such a technology and platform, as well as the design, fabrication, and characterization of the thermoplastic nano-patterned molds.

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), mixtures of nanometer-sized particles and polymeric matrices, have attracted continuing interest over the past few decades, primarily because they offer the promise of significant property improvements relative to the pure polymer. It is now commonly accepted in the community that the spatial organization of nanoparticles (NPs) in the polymer host plays a critical role in determining the macroscopic properties of the resulting PNCs. However, till date there is still dearth of cost-effective methods for controlling the dispersion of NPs in polymeric hosts. In this dissertation, we are dedicated to developing practically simple and thus commercially relevant strategies to controllably disperse NPs into synthetic polymer matrices (both amorphous and semicrystalline). We first investigate the influence of casting solvent on the NP spatial organization and the thermomechanical properties in a strongly attractive PNC consisting of bare silica NPs and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) hosts cast from two different solvents - methylethylketone (MEK) or pyridine. In MEK, we show that P2VP strongly adsorbs onto the silica surface, creating a stable bound polymer layer and thus helping sterically stabilize the NPs against agglomeration. On the contrary, in pyridine, P2VP does not adsorb on the silica NPs, and the phase behavior in such case is a subtle balance among electrostatic repulsion, polymer-induced depletion attraction, and the kinetic slowdown of diffusion-limited NP aggregation. Using Brillouin light scattering, we further show that in pyridine-cast films, there is a single acoustic phonon, implying a homogeneous mixture of silica and P2VP on the mesoscopic scales. However, in MEK-cast samples, two longitudinal and two transverse acoustic phonons are probed at high particle content, reminiscent of two metastable microscopic phases. These solvent-induced differences in the elastic mechanical behavior disappear upon thermal annealing, suggesting that these nanocomposite interfacial structures in the as-cast state locally approach equilibrium upon annealing. Next, to disperse silica NPs into an energetically unfavorable polystyrene (PS) matrix in a controllable fashion, we have proposed a simple and robust strategy of adsorbing a monolayer of PS-b-P2VP block copolymer onto the silica surface, where the short P2VP block is densely coated around the silica particles and thus helps to reduce the inter-core attraction while the long PS block provides a miscible interface with the matrix chains. As a result, we have found that the silica particles can be uniformly dispersed in the PS matrices at a low grafting density of 0.01 chains/nm2. Even more interestingly, we have shown that the BCP coated NPs are remarkably better dispersed than the ones tethered with bimodal PS-P2VP brushes at comparable PS grafting characteristics. This finding can be reconciled by the fact that in the case of BCP adsorption, each NP is more uniformly coated by a P2VP monolayer driven by the strongly favorable silica-P2VP interactions. Since each P2VP block is connected to a PS chain we conjecture that these adsorbed systems are closer to the limit of spatially uniform sparse brush coverage than the chemically grafted case. Finally, we have examined the interplay between NP organization and polymer crystallization in a melt-miscible model semicrystalline nanocomposite comprised of poly(methyl methacrylate) or poly(methyl acrylate) grafted silica NPs in poly(ethyleneoxide) matrices. Here we have achieved active NP organization at a length scale of 10-100 nm by isothermal polymer crystallization. We have shown that the melt-miscible spherical NPs are engulfed by the polymer crystals and remain spatially well-dispersed for crystallization faster than a critical growth rate (G > Gc ~ 0.1 um/s). However, anisotropic sheet-like NP ordering results for slower G - the NPs are preferentially segregated into the interlamellar zone of the multiscale, hierarchical polymer crystal structure spanning lamellae (10-50 nm), fibrils (um) and spherulites (mm). This NP ordering is found to favorably impact the elastic modulus while leaving fracture toughness unaffected. We thus conclude that polymer crystal growth kinetics coupled to the unusual morphology of semicrystalline polymers represent a novel handle for in-situ fabricating hierarchical, anisotropic NP structures in a synthetic semicrystalline polymer, which could inspire significant applications.

Nesta tese são apresentados os resultados de síntese e caracterização dos nanocompósitos de poli(anilina) (PANI) e de poli(benzidina)(PBZ) com argilas. Através do emprego de diferentes técnicas espectroscópicas e de microscopia eletrônica foi possível confirmar a intercalação dos monômeros e sua polimerização. Quando a polimerização foi feita a partir do monômero intercalado na argila (polimerização in situ) são obtidos nanocompósitos no qual a maior parte das cadeias poliméricas está intercalada. Entretanto, quando a polimerização é feita sem a prévia intercalação do monômero (polimerização ex situ), ocorre a formação dos polímeros na superfície externa da argila. Usando a espectroscopia Raman ressonante e de Absorção de raios-X na borda K do nitrogênio (N K XANES) foi possível elucidar a estrutura dos segmentos cromofóricos da PANI e da PBZ intercaladas, e pela primeira vez foi mostrado a presença de um segmento cromofórico na PANI intercalada, não presente na PANI livre, que possui em sua estrutura ligações azo e anéis cíclicos do tipo fenazina. A síntese da PANI intercalada em diferentes argilas e em diferentes condições de síntese permitiu verificar a influência destes fatores na formação desses novos segmentos. / The present work shows the synthesis and characterization of the nanocomposites of poly(aniline) (PANI) and poly(benzidine) (PBZ) formed inside the montmorillonite (MMT)clay galleries. Through the use of a large number of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques was possible to confirm the monomer intercalation and polymerization between the clay layers. When the synthesis is carried out after previous monomer intercalation (in situ route) the formation of polymer occurs mainly between the clay layers. On the other hand, the formation of polymer in external clay surface (ex situ route) occurs when the polymerization is carried out without previous monomer intercalation. Using resonance Raman spectroscopy and X-ray near nitrogen K-edge absorption (N K XANES) was possible to elucidate the structure of chromophoric segments in intercalated PANI and PBZ. For the first time, we show the presence of a new chromophoric segment, having phenazinic and azo groups, in the PANI intercalated by in situ route, indicating that the confinement of monomer is one of the factors leading to the formation of these new segments. The synthesis of intercalated PANI in different clays and experimental reaction conditions show that these factors, not only the confinement, have played an important role in formation of the new chromophoric segments in the structure of intercalated PANI.

Nesta Tese foram preparados, em solução, filmes híbridos de argila e poliestireno provenientes de copos descartáveis comercializados no mercado brasileiro, com acetato de etila e glicerol. Posteriormente, foi adicionado o Hemi-hidrato de sulfato de cálcio como carga de reforço. Tanto a argila quanto o glicerol, assim como o hemihidrato de sulfato de cálcio, foram utilizados nos percentuais relativos à massa do poliestireno fragmentado correspondendo a 1%,2%, 3%,4%, 5% e 7%. Dos filmes, nos percentuais 3, 4, 5 e 7, exclui-se o percentual de 4% e os demais foram fragmentados e submetidos a extrusão, com resfriamento natural, à seco, produzindo-se grãos com os quais foi avaliado o índice de fluidez e injetados para a moldagem de corpos de prova rígidos. O desempenho dos corpos rígidos, foi comparado com os resultados do HIPS 484, e o GPPS comercializados no mercado brasileiro. Os filmes foram caracterizados por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), além dos testes de resistência à tração, fluorescência de raios X, EDS e FTIR. Amostra do filme, ultrafino, obtido a partir da solução com o percentual de 5% foi observada ao microscópio ótico e no microscópio eletrônico de transmissão, assim como amostras de corpos rígidos microtomizadas. Nos corpos rígidos, além das análises instrumentais citadas, foram avaliadas a resistência à flexão, modulo de flexão, resistência à tração, alongamento e resistência ao impacto Izod. O desempenho sob chama foi avaliado em amostras de filme e também do corpo rígido. Resultados do DRX, e da MET foram coerentes com a bibliografia para nanocompósitos argila-polímero e, associado às respostas dos demais ensaios, indicaram um material de boa qualidade morfológica e boas propriedades mecânicas comparadas ao HIPS 484 e ao GPPS. Sob a chama o material produzido apresentou maior resistência à queima avaliado pela quantidade aparente de material residual para um mesmo tempo sob fogo. Constatou-se, também, uma boa dispersão das cargas na matriz polimérica, assim como uma adequada interação entre os elementos orgânicos e inorgânicos do material, a delaminação parcial da argila e quebra da estrutura do hemi-hidrato. Isto resultou em um bom desempenho mecânico e térmico do compósito que pode ser atribuído, tanto a uma forte influência dos íons metálicos presentes nas cargas inorgânicas, quanto às adições presentes na formulação dos copos descartáveis. / In this work were prepared in solution, hybrid films of montmorillonite clay and polystyrene from disposable cups sold in the Brazilian market, with ethyl acetate and glycerol. Subsequently, the calcium sulphate hemihydrate was added as reinforcing filler. Both clay and glycerol, as well as calcium sulfate hemihydrate were used in percentage relative to the mass of the fragmented polystyrene corresponding to 1%, 2% and 3% and 3%, 4%, 5% and 7%. Of the specimens, the percentage 3, 4, 5 and 7, excluding the percentage of 4% and the rest were fragmented and subjected to extrusion, with natural cooling to dry, producing grains with which the flow rate was evaluated and injected to the molding of rigid specimens. The performance of rigid bodies were compared with HIPS 484 results and GPPS sold in the Brazilian market. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in addition to tensile strength tests, xray fluorescence, EDS and FTIR. Film sample, ultrathin, obtained from the solution to the percentage of 5% was observed in optical microscope and transmission electron microscope, as well as samples of rigid bodies after the microtome. In rigid bodies, in addition to instrumental analyzes described above were evaluated flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength, elongation and Izod impact strength. The performance under fire was evaluated in film and the rigid body samples. Results of XRD and TEM were consistent with the literature for clay nanocomposites and polymer-associated responses of other tests indicated a morphological good quality material and good mechanical properties compared to 484 HIPS and GPPS. Under the flame, the material produced showed higher resistance to burning evaluated by the apparent amount of residual material for an equal time under fire. It was found, also good dispersion of the fillers in the polymer matrix, and an appropriate interaction between the organic material and inorganic elements, delamination of the clay and breaking the hemihydrate structure. It Results in a good mechanical and thermal performance of the composite that can be attributed, both, to a strong influence of metal ions present in the inorganic fillers as additions in the formulation of disposable cups.