Hybrid Organo–Inorganic Clay with Nonionic Interlayers. Mid- and Near-IR Spectroscopic Studies

Abstract

The intercalation of organic polymers molecules (i.e., PEGs and BRIJ) into a standard Ca-montmorillonite has been studied by XRD, TG, and IR spectroscopy. The polymer intercalation is confirmed by the increasing of the d(001) in XRD spectra as well as by the complex multisteps thermal decomposition behavior of the organo-clay materials. Mid-IR and diffuse reflectance near-IR spectra of the intercalated materials show the polymer diagnostic bands (CH stretching and deformation mode), shifted or changed in shape by the interaction with the clay matrix. Both PEG 1500 and PEG 4000 based materials are likely intercalated in an extended configuration, similar to the amorphous polymer form. BRIJ intercalated polymer spectra suggest the disordered conformation of the alkilic chain in a prevailing "gauche", poorly packed, conformation. Host montmorillonite IR bands, mainly OH and water stretching and deformation fundamentals, combination, and overtone bands, are reduced in intensity by polymer intercalation, pointing out an interaction, likely through H-bonding and/or a possible substitution of cations hydration water molecules.

Fabrication of nanoclay gel composite: A novel nanoclay masterbatch approach to nanocomposite preparation via melt extrusion process

“…Moreover, this result ensured that the KC was only performed as a gelling agent without intercalating into nanoclay galleries in order to maintain the PEG‐intercalated clay within the gel formation. In other words, the creation of the PEG organo–inorganic hybrid compounds is displayed . The same results have been reported in many research studies based on the intercalated PEG/Clay nanocomposites (Zampori et al , Finocchio et al , Campbell et al , and Clegg et al ).…”

“…In other words, the creation of the PEG organo–inorganic hybrid compounds is displayed . The same results have been reported in many research studies based on the intercalated PEG/Clay nanocomposites (Zampori et al , Finocchio et al , Campbell et al , and Clegg et al ). The slight enlargement of the basal spacing was observed with increasing PEG contents indicating that the minor enthalpy interactions were affected by increasing the PEG loading.…”

“…The PEG has greater thermal stability than alkylammonium salts with stability of up to 327°C, so its nanoclay gel can be processed at a higher temperature than typical organoclay . The PEG with MW 1500 (PEG1500) was used as a non‐ionic surfactant to prepare organoclays as reported by Zampori et al , Finocchio et al , and Belova et al . The intercalated PEG molecules within the nanoclay platelets could function to modify the clay surface to be organophillic .…”

A Novel and Facile Nanoclay Aerogel Masterbatch toward Exfoliated Polymer‐Clay Nanocomposites through a Melt‐Mixing Process

“…Moreover, the enthalpic driving force occurred from the interactions from the hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl and ether oxygen groups of PEG, water molecules, and Si-O-Si on the clay surfaces [12,50]. Numerous studies have reported similar results based on the intercalated PEG/clay nanocomposites, such as Zampori et al [30], Finocchio et al [31], Clegg et al [50], and Campbell et al [36]. is result could be attributed to the organophilicity of the achieved nanoclay aerogel masterbatches, which was enhanced from this process that resembled the typical surface modification of the organoclay preparation.…”

“…Moreover, PEG-treated nanoclay is thermally stable at 327°C in an inert atmosphere and 275°C in air, which is greater than alkylammonium salts; therefore, it could be processed at a higher temperature without thermal degradation than typical organoclay [17,29]. According to the reports of Zampori et al [30], Finocchio et al [31], and Belova et al [32], PEG with the MW of 1500 (PEG1500) was used as a nonionic surfactant to prepare the organoclays. e PEG-intercalated clay had the ability to modify the clay's surface to be organophilic due to the interaction between the oxygen atoms of the PEG molecule and sodium cations dwelling in the interlayers of the layered silicate and between the PEG molecule and nanoclay surface via hydrogen bonding; hence, the long tails of the PEG molecular chain were able to interact with the organic polymer [12,15,33,34].…”