Patent ID: 6287634
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: C01B,C08K

Abstract:
A method of intercalating and exfoliating a phyllosilicate comprising:contacting the phyllosilicate, having a moisture content of at least about 4% by weight, with water, and an intercalant monomer to form an intercalating composition, said intercalating composition having a weight ratio of intercalant monomer to said phyllosilicate in said intercalating composition of at least about 1:20 and said intercalant monomer having an ester functionality to achieve intercalation of said intercalant monomer between said adjacent phyllosilicate platelets, without prior sorption of an onium ion or silane coupling agent, in an amount sufficient to space said adjacent phyllosilicate platelets a distance of at least about 5 .ANG., and intimately mixing the intercalated phyllosilicate sufficient to achieve exfoliation of the phyllosilicate.