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US 6,271,298 B1Granted
Process for treating smectite clays to facilitate exfoliation
AssigneeSouthern Clay Products, Inc.
InventorClois E. Powell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.
Claims9
In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by the steps of intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix;
- the improvement enabling augmented exfoliation, comprising:
- edge treating the smectite clay with negatively charged organic molecules prior to said exfoliation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.