Transmission electron microscopy, monolayer dispersion

Polypropylene (PP)-clay hybrids cannot be easily synthesized because PP is hydrophobic and has poor miscibility with clay silicates. Octadecyl ammonium ions were used as modifiers for the clay, and a polyolefin oligomer was used so that the clay became more compatible. Organophilic clay, a polyolefin oligomer and PP were blended using an extruder at 200 °C. It was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the clay was dispersed in a monolayer state in the PP matrix. Thus, PP was directly intercalated into the clay gallery [15]. 

A Millipore Milll-Q purification system was used for subphase preparation, and a constant temperature bath was used to control the subphase temperature. The mixed spreading solutions were dispersed at the air-water Interface and then slowly compressed at speeds of about 5 A2 mol min-" to surface pressures of 10-15 mN/m prior to deposition. Monolayers were transferred onto electron microscope grids for transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction, using both the horizontal and vertical dipping techniques. Multilayer assemblies were prepared onto platinum-coated substrates using the vertical dipping technique for Near Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy (NEXAFS). 

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