Intercalation and exfoliation of talc by solid-state shear compounding (S3C) using pan-mill equipment

The intercalation and exfoliation of talc have been realized by solid‐state shear compounding (S3C) using pan‐mill equipment that can exert fairly strong shear forces and has multifunctions such as pulverizing, mixing, and activation on materials. The structural features of pan‐mill also show prospective in delaminating layered minerals. The morphology and structure of talc were investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The characteristic peaks of talc interlayer spacing disappeared in the XRD pattern of PP/talc composite prepared by S3C, however, still remained in the XRD pattern of PP/talc prepared by the conventional mixing method. TEM confirms the intercalated and exfoliated structure of talc, and the well dispersion of talc in the PP matrix after talc and PP were co‐milled. S3C is a new approach to prepare polymer/layered inorganic filler nanocomposite and has characteristics such as a simple process that needs neither organic ligands nor solvent. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 45:451–457, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.