were resolved. The major peak indicates that the interlayer
distance of the LS widened to 1.73 nm from
the initial 0.95 nm. This effect can be assigned to the
higher polarity of PUR compared to NR, which favors
the compatibility with LS. Similar to PUR, the NR/
PUR latex blend also shows two peaks. Albeit they
appear at slightly higher interlayer distances than in
PUR, these peaks are the same. The intensity ratio of
these peaks is, however, opposed to that of the pure
PUR nanocomposite. Before discussing this aspect,
attention should be paid to results achieved by TEM
and FTIR.
TEM pictures in Figure 2 evidence the good intercalation
of LS by PUR. One may get the impression
that a part of LS has even been exfoliated. Pictures in
Figure 2 demonstrate further the high-aspect ratio of
the LS. This becomes more obvious when the size of
the flat-laying platelets (disks) in Figure 2(b) is considered.