Nanoscale silicate platelets

The formation of this high-performance carbonaceous-silicate char was first observed by studying the combustion residues using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structure of the combustion residue of a PE/clay nanocomposite has been observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at nanoscale the residue resulted in a net-like structure of clay platelets and char, while at microscale showed a sponge-like structure, similar to those obtained from combustion of intumescent FR systems. 

Exfoliated nanoscale layered silicate particles have been seen to provide dramatic improvements in mechanical properties in polyamide systems [1]. Numerous studies have since attempted to achieve the same degree of reinforcement in an array of thermoset and thermoplastic polymer systems [2]. Layered silicate clays have been popular due to low cost, high surface area, and versatility of organic treatments available to make them compatible with a host of commercial polymer systems [3]. These clays are natmally available as tactoid structures consisting of several silicate layers stacked in crystalline lattice [4,5]. However, optimum reinforcement and improvement in thermal properties are obtained when tactoids are exfoliated into individual platelets [1-3,6-24]. 

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