Derdar, HodhaifaCherifi, ZakariaMitchell, GeoffreyMateus, ArturZerrouki, MezianeHammoudi, NaimaBachari, KhaldounChebout, RedouaneTouahra, FouziaBouchama, AbdelghaniHarrane, AmineMeghabar, Rachid2025-09-182025-09-182025-08-31Derdar, H.; Cherifi, Z.; Mitchell, G.R.; Mateus, A.; Zerrouki, M.; Hammoudi, N.; Bachari, K.; Chebout, R.; Touahra, F.; Bouchama, A.; et al. Nanocomposites fromβ-Pinene and α-Pinene Copolymer: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antioxidant Evaluation. Polymers 2025, 17, 2378. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/polym171723782073-4360http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/14090Article number - 2378In this study, we present a novel and straightforward approach for the synthesis of copolymers and nanocomposites based on α- and β-pinene, employing an eco-friendly and cost-effective nano-reinforcing filler. The copolymers (α-co-β-P) were produced through cationic copolymerization, using AlCl3 as a catalyst. The structural characterization of the resulting copolymer was validated through FT-IR, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular weight of the obtained polymer is determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis and is about 4500 g/mol. Nanocomposites (α-co-β-P/Clay 2, 5, 8, and 10% by weight of nano-clay) were synthesized by combining clay and α-co-β-P copolymer in solution using ultrasonic irradiation. This ultrasound-assisted method was employed to enhance and assess the structural, morphological, and thermal properties of the pure copolymer. The morphology of the resultant nanocomposites was characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the nanocomposites exhibit a higher degradation temperature compared to the pure copolymer. The analyses provided evidence of the chemical modification of nano-clay layers and their uniform dispersion in the α-co-β-P copolymer matrix. Exfoliated structures were achieved for lower clay concentration (2% by weight), while intercalated structures and immiscible regions were observed for higher clay concentrations (5, 8, and 10% by weight). The antioxidant activity of α-pinene, β-pinene, and the obtained nanocomposites were studied using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) as a model free-radical. The results demonstrate a significant antioxidant potential of the nanocomposites, showcasing their ability to effectively neutralize free-radicals. Finally, a novel procedure was devised for the rapid synthesis of copolymers and nanocomposites using α- and β-pinene.engCopolymerizationNanocompositesα- and β-pineneNano-clayAntioxidant activityjournal article10.3390/polym17172378