Transmission electron microscopy layered-silicate polymer

The nano-scale structures in polymer layered-silicate nano-composites can be thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD is used to identify intercalated structures. XRD allows quantification of changes in layer spacing and the most commonly used to probe the nano-composite structure and... 

Morgan AB, Gilman JW.(2003). Characterization of poly-layered silicate (clay) nanocomposites by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction a comparative study. J Appl Polym Sci, 87 1329-38. 

H. J. M. Hanley, C. D. Muzny, D. L. Ho, C. J. Glinka, and E. Manias, A SANS study of organoclay dispersions. International Journal of Thermophysics, 22 (2001), 1435 8. A. Morgan and J. Gilman, Characterization of polymer-layered silicate (clay) nanocomposites by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction A comparative study. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 87 (2003), 1329-38. 

When a thermoplastic polymer is mixed with layered silicate particles, it either intercalates or exfoliates the layered silicates, as schematically shown in Fig. 1. The state of dispersion (intercalation vs exfoliation) of the aggregates of layered silicate in nanocomposites is commonly assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Generally exfoliation is preferred to intercalation, although exfoliation may not necessarily be required for certain industrial applications (e.g., for an enhancement of flame retardant characteristics). It should be mentioned that the greater the extent of exfoliation of layered silicates, the larger will be the total surface areas of the dispersed layered silicates, giving rise to enhanced mechanical/physical properties of the nanocomposites prepared. 

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