INTRODUCTION
Nowadays rubber nanocomposites containing layered
silicates (LS) as reinforcement are gaining importance.
1 The interest behind this development is due to
the nanoscale dispersion (the thickness of the layered
silicates is ca. 1 nm) and the very high aspect ratio of
the silicate platelets (length-to-thickness ratio up to
2000),2 enabling high reinforcing efficiency even at
low LS loading. To make the polar LS compatible with
nonpolar polymers and thus to facilitate the exfoliation
of LS, the silicates are made organophilic
(e.g., 2–3). This occurs by exploiting the cation exchange
capacity of the LS. Organophilic LS are, however,
expensive, which forced researchers to have a
look at alternative methods. Nonorganophilic (pristine)
LS can be dispersed in water, which acts as
swelling agent via hydration of the intergallery cations
(usually Na ions). Note that several rubbers are
available in latex form, which is a rather stable aqueous
INTRODUCTIONNowadays rubber nanocomposites containing layeredsilicates (LS) as reinforcement are gaining importance.1 The interest behind this development is due tothe nanoscale dispersion (the thickness of the layeredsilicates is ca. 1 nm) and the very high aspect ratio ofthe silicate platelets (length-to-thickness ratio up to2000),2 enabling high reinforcing efficiency even atlow LS loading. To make the polar LS compatible withnonpolar polymers and thus to facilitate the exfoliationof LS, the silicates are made organophilic(e.g., 2–3). This occurs by exploiting the cation exchangecapacity of the LS. Organophilic LS are, however,expensive, which forced researchers to have alook at alternative methods. Nonorganophilic (pristine)LS can be dispersed in water, which acts asswelling agent via hydration of the intergallery cations(usually Na ions). Note that several rubbers areavailable in latex form, which is a rather stable aqueous
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