Patent ID: 6271297
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: B82Y,C08J,C08K

Abstract:
A nanocomposite comprising;a) from about 1 to about 70 weight percent of a sheet silicate or sheet silicone filler optionally surface treated characterized by a platelike structure with each plate having a thickness from about 1 to about 30 nanometers,b) from about 30 to about 99 weight percent of a matrix polymer, andc) from about 0.05 to about 20 weight percent of a swelling agent, wherein said swelling agent is epoxy or caprolactam or a combination thereof, or a dimer, a trimer, or oligomer of four or more repeat units, or a polymer of said epoxy or said caprolactam, or combinations thereof, wherein said weight percents are based on the weight of the blend of matrix polymer, swelling agent, and sheet silicate or sheet silicone, and wherein said swelling agent is neither a monomeric nor an oligomeric form of the matrix polymer, wherein said swelling agent is neither water nor a low boiling temperature, non reactive solvent, and wherein said swelling agent has a solubility parameter such that it facilitates entry of said matrix polymer into said filler thereby increasing the amount of intercalation or increasing the exfoliation more than 5 percent over a similar control without the swelling agent.