| abstract |
A phyllosilicate material is exfoliated by admixture of the phyllosilicate with water, and a solvent for a water-insoluble oligomer or polymer that is sorbed or electrostatically bonded to the inner surfaces of the phyllosilicate platelets after exfoliation of the phyllosilicate. Intercalation and exfoliation can be achieved via contact of the phyllosilicate with an organic solvent and water to electrostatically bond one or more polar moieties from the organic solvent to a metal cation on the platelet inner surfaces, so that after evaporation of the water used for intercalation of the organic solvent between phyllosilicate platelets, the platelets do not then collapse together, but remain exfoliated. After exfoliation of the phyllosilicate, the exfoliated platelets are contacted with a polymer/carrier composition that includes a water-insoluble polymer or water-insoluble oligomer, and a solvent for the water-insoluble polymer or oligomer. After exfoliating the phyllosilicate and prior to polymer contact, the individual phyllosilicate platelets are contacted with the polymer/carrier composition to sorb the water-insoluble polymer or water-insoluble oligomer onto one or both surfaces of the exfoliated phyllosilicate platelets and drive off the adhered solvent. |