Abstract
Polystyrene/CTA-montmorillonite nano-composites (PS/CTA-MMT) were prepared via in situ emulsion polymerization in presence of different organoclay (CTA-MMT) loadings and various concentrations of potassium persulfate (PPS) as initiator. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to confirm the formation the exfoliated and intercalated of the prepared nanocomposites. Furthermore, the prepared and modified polystyrene nanocomposites were used to remove the organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues from contaminated water. The efficiency of nanocomposites for removing OCPs increases by increasing the modified montmorillonite loadings and initiator concentrations.