Hydrophobically modified clay polymer nanocomposites

A method for preparing a plurality of hollow, polymer clay nanocomposite particles, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a polymer seed dispersion comprising polymer seeds and a hydrophobically modified clay;
• combining the polymer seed dispersion with at least one polyunsaturated monomer and optionally at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer to provide a reaction mixture;
• and
• polymerizing the monomer within the reaction mixture to form the hollow polymer clay nanocomposite particles.

A method for preparing a polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• providing an aqueous dispersion comprising a clay and at least one ion exchange resin to provide an acid clay and water mixture;
• and
• introducing at least one basic compound and a polymer latex to the acid clay and water mixture to form a reaction mixture;
• and
• mobilizing the polymer within the reaction mixture to form a polymer clay nanocomposite.

A method for preparing a hydrophobically modified clay, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• providing an aqueous dispersion comprising a clay and at least one ion exchange resin to provide an acid clay and water mixture;
• introducing at least one basic compound to the acid clay and water mixture to form a reaction mixture;
• and
• heating the reaction mixture to a temperature and for a time to provide a hydrophobically modified clay.