Exfoliation quantification

Both TEM and WAXD are essential tools for evaluating nanocomposite structure. However, TEM is time-intensive and only gives qualitative information on the sample as a whole, whereas wide-angle peaks in WAXD allow quantification of changes in layer spacing. Typically, when layer spacing exceeds 6-7 nm in intercalated nanocomposites or when the layers become relatively disordered in exfoliated nanocomposites, associated WAXD features weaken to the point of not being useful [133]. 

Quantification of the role of polar groups associated with polyethylene in exfoliation of organomontmorillonite was carried out by Shah et al. [3]. The polar modification to polyethylene was methacrylic acid (MAA)... 

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