Exfoliated silicate

Pomes et al. (2001) proposed that the layered-silicate exfoliation during an extmsion process was initiated by the break-up of taller silicate stacks into smaller stacks, following a layer-by-layer peeling mechanism of the top and bottom sihcate stack platelets by the extmsion shear stress. They also reported that this mechanism was proportional to the polymer (viscosity), in which higher effective shear stress associated with higher would lead to a more exfoliated morphology. 

Secondly, because the XRD spectra of PPEX did not show any peak in the compounded feedstock form, its absence in the fibre spectra could not be taken as convincing evidence of layered-silicate exfoliation associated with the melt-spinning. However, given that the HRTEM images of PPEX fibre have manifested layered-silicates of thinner lateral dimension and more uniform dispersion than the injection-moulded PPEX, this would imply the occurrence of exfoliation during the melt-spinning process. 

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring group of hydrated aluminum-iron-magnesium silicates having a laminate structure. When subjected to direct heat in a furnace, the pulverized material exfoliates or expands in size, and then consists of a series of parallel plates with air spaces between. 

Micro-composites are formed when the polymer chain is unable to intercalate into the silicate layer and therefore phase separated polymer/clay composites are formed. Their properties remain the same as the conventional micro-composites as shown in Figure 2(a). Intercalated nano-composite is obtained when the polymer chain is inserted between clay layers such that the interlayer spacing is expanded, but the layers still bear a well-defined spatial relationship to each other as shown in Figure 2(b). Exfoliated nano-composites are formed when the layers of the day have been completely separated and the individual layers are distributed throughout the organic matrix as shown in Figure 2(c). 

FIGURE 2.18 Adsorption, followed by drag and separation mechanism for exfoliation of silicate layers. 

Most nanocomposite researchers obdurately believe that the preparation of a completely exfoliated structure is the ultimate target for better overall properties. However, these significant improvements are not observed in every nanocomposite system, including systems where the silicate layers are near to exfoliated [29]. While, from the barrier property standpoint, the development of exfoliated nanocomposites is always preferred, Nylon 6-based nanocomposite systems are completely different from other nanocomposite systems, as discussed [3,8]. 

Exfoliate means to open, such as to open the pages of a book. New sheetlike nanocomposites are being investigated in the production of tire inner layers. These approaches focus on the use of two different materials, silicates and graphite. Most silicates and graphite exist in layered groupings. 

Davis RD, Bur AJ, McBearty M et al. (2004) Dielectric spectroscopy during extrusion processing of polymer nanocomposites a high-throughput processing/characterization method to measure layered silicate content and exfoliation. Polymer 45 6487-6493... 

From a theoretical point of view, the gel layer is a barrier that reduces further hydrolysis of the silicate network, and is supposed to be more stable than the glass matrix, thus reducing the overall rate of corrosion. However, gel exfoliation may momentarily re-activate corrosion, at least locally. No clear trend was observed for the presence of the crystalline secondary phases identified at the surface of the corroded HT samples. The most abundant minerals are aluminosilicates, calcium phosphates, Fe- and Mg-rich minerals, and zeolites their role in the scavenging or release of metals remains ambiguous, although many mineral phases identified bear traces of metals. 

The effect of polymer-filler interaction on solvent swelling and dynamic mechanical properties of the sol-gel-derived acrylic rubber (ACM)/silica, epoxi-dized natural rubber (ENR)/silica, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/silica hybrid nanocomposites was described by Bandyopadhyay et al. [27]. Theoretical delineation of the reinforcing mechanism of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites has been attempted by some authors while studying the micromechanics of the intercalated or exfoliated PNCs [28-31]. Wu et al. [32] verified the modulus reinforcement of rubber/clay nanocomposites using composite theories based on Guth, Halpin-Tsai, and the modified Halpin-Tsai equations. On introduction of a modulus reduction factor (MRF) for the platelet-like fillers, the predicted moduli were found to be closer to the experimental measurements. 

Das et al. [89] observed that both sulfur and peroxide vulcanizations of NBR filled with organoclay lead to intercalated-exfoliated structures of the layered silicate. They also reported that the use of excess stearic acid could lead to exfoliation of the clay layers in NBR when cured with sulfur. 

Figure 7 shows the representative bright field HRTEM images of nanocomposites of NR and unmodified montmorillonite (NR/NA) prepared by different processing and curing techniques. It is apparent that the methodology followed to prepare the nanocomposites by latex blending facilitates the formation of exfoliated clay structure, even with unmodified nanoclays. It has been reported in the literature that hydration of montmorillonite clay leads to extensive delamination and breakdown of silicate layers [94, 95]. It has also been shown that NA disperses fully into the individual layers in its dilute aqueous dispersion (clay concentration <10%)... 

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