摘要:
Exfoliated layered silicate material derived from intercalates formed by contacting the layer material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant polymer to sorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant polymer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 10 .ANG. (as measured after water removal), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 30-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated, e.g., when mixed with a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix polymer melt, to provide a matrix polymer/platelet nanocomposite material--the platelets being exfoliated from the intercalate.