| abstract |
The present invention is directed, in part, to improved nanocomposite compositions and processes for preparing same. In one embodiment, there is provided a process for preparing an aqueous nanocomposite dispersion, wherein the process comprises: providing at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer; providing an aqueous clay dispersion comprising an at least partially exfoliated aqueous clay having a first exchangeable cation and, optionally, at least one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer; adding a second cation to said aqueous clay dispersion, wherein at least a portion of the second cation exchanges with at least a portion of the first cation to form a modified aqueous clay dispersion; combining the first ethylenically unsaturated monomer and the modified aqueous clay dispersion; and polymerizing at least a portion of the first or second monomer to form the aqueous nanocomposite dispersion wherein at least one of the first or the second monomers comprises a polar monomer. |