INTRODUCTION: FROM CLAY MINERAL-POLYMER INTERACTIONS TO CLAY MINERAL-POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

Clay mineral-polymer nanocomposites are hybrids which exhibit a nanoscale change in composition and structure. Because of their high aspect ratio, layered silicates such as 2:1 clay minerals, hydrous alkali silicates and crystalline silicic acids are the most important reinforcing phases for engineering polymers. Clay mineral-polymer complexes can be prepared in several ways. However, true nanocomposites are only obtained by methods which overcome the tendency of the silicate layers to form face-face aggregates. A serious obstacle in reinforcing engineering polymers by delaminated silicates is their incompatibility with the silicate layers. It is, therefore, essential to modify the external and internal surfaces of the silicates. Processing of clay minerals with melted polymers and intercalative polymerisation are the most promising ways of preparing nanocomposites. 65 refs.