Hybrid nanocomposites comprising layered inorganic material and methods of preparation

Abstract

The present invention relates to particulate concentrate compositions formed by intercalation of a polymer polymerizing component into the galleries of a layered inorganic cation exchange composition initially in proton exchanged form and to the use of the particulate concentrates for the preparation of cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite compositions. The polymer polymerizing component comprising the particulate concentrate contains a basic group for reaction with the protons of the inorganic cation exchanger. Also, the polymer polymerizing component contains a functional group for polymerization reaction with a polymer precursor, a mixture of polymer precursors, or a polymer melt which is introduced into the galleries of the inorganic cation exchanger and reacts with the polymer polymerizing component to form a cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the layered inorganic composition is selected from the family of 2:1 layered silicate cation exchangers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.