Polyethylene terphthalate /Montmorillonite clay nanocomposites were prepared after modification of Montmorillonite (MMT) clay using different concentration of Dimethyl di(hydrogenated tallow) ammonium chloride modifier. The characterization of the prepared nanocomposites includes Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Fibers of pure polyethylene terphthalate (PET) and Polyethylene terphthalate/Montmorillonite clay nanocomposite (PET/MMT) were produced using melt spinning technique and the prepared fibers were characterized using thermal gravimetric in addition to SEM analysis. The results show that the nanocomposite fibers have higher thermal stability than pure polyethylene terphthalate fibers in addition to high degree in homogeneity between PET and MMT clay in PET/MMT nanocomposite. PET/MMT nanocomposite fiber with modified MMT 2% has been modified by grafting of MAA under variable conditions of monomer and initiator concentrations as well as grafting time and temperature. The grafted fiber has been used in water treatment by removing of cationic dye under different conditions as pH values, and dye adsorption time.