Nanocomposite structure depending on the degree of surface treatment of layered silicate

Nanocomposite structures depending on the degree of surface modification of montmorillonite (MMT) were studied. To change the degree of surface modification, MMT was treated with a controlled amount of stearylamine. The structures of MMTs and nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction. To confirm the extent of surface coverage of the stearylamine as a organophilic modifier, TGA and elemental analysis experiments were performed. Different structures (intercalated or exfoliated) of a polymer/clay nanocomposite were obtained according to the interfacial characteristics between the polymer chains and the clay by controlling the degree of surface coverage. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2143–2147, 2002