日本ゼオライト学会　刊行物 Publication of Japan Zeolite Association

A development of polymer / clay minarals nanocomposites, such as Nylon / clay hybrid (NCH), is one of the latest attractive subjects. An interesting nano-structure, in which an arrangement of polymer chains near silicate layer surfaces is strongly influenced by the inorganic substances, was also shown, besides a uniform dispersion of the inorganic layers in the polymer matrixes. The nano-structure is expected to attribute to the interesting properties of the composite materials, such as gas-barrier properties and a flame retardent effect. A card of house structure, that is a characteristic arrangement of silicate layers in clay mineral aqueous suspensions, was found in the polypropylene/clay nanocomposite. It is re-confirmed that the characters of the composite cannot be described by anything else than the term of nm-length scale, and an organic / inorganic hybrid is an effective technique for controlling the nano-structure.