Methods for synthesizing PCN

Intercalation of polymers in layered hosts, such as clay, has proven to be a successful approach to synthesize PCN materials. The preparative methods are divided into three main groups according to the starting materials and processing techniques. 

Intercalation ofpolymer or pre-polymer from solution (Fig. 13.3(a)) (Aranda and Ruiz-Hitzky, 1992 Yano et al, 1993 Jimenez et al., 1997 Jeon et al, 1998  

3 (a) Schematic representation of a PCN material obtained by intercalation of polymer from solution (b) schematic representation of a PCN material obtained by in-situ polymerization and (c) schematic representation of a PCN material obtained by direct melt intercalation. 

Tseng et al., 2001 Xu et al., 2001) This is based on a solvent system in which the polymer or pre-polymer is soluble and the clay is swellable. The layered silicate is first swollen in a solvent such as water, chloroform or toluene. When the polymer and clay solutions ate mixed, the polymer chains intercalate and displace the solvent within the interiayerof the clay. Upon solvent removal, the irrterealated stmcture remains, resrrlting in PCN rrraterials. 

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