Intercalation of Nickel(II) and Iron(II) Metallosupramolecular Polyelectrolytes in Montmorillonite: Nanocomposites and their Electrorheological Properties

Abstract Nanocomposites obtained from the montmorillonite clay (Na_0.36(Al_1.64Mg_0.36)Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂⋅n H₂O) and metallosupramolecular polyelectrolytes (MEPE) with iron(II) and nickel(II) are prepared by an aqueous intercalation reaction. Intercalation of MEPE in the interlayer structure of montmorillonite (MMT) is confirmed by different analytical techniques including powder X‐ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. We note a difference in the intercalation behavior between Ni^II and Fe^II. The intercalation of Fe‐MEPE is hindered by traces of Fe₂O₃ in MMT. Removal of the impurities with sodium dithionite and citrate buffer makes Fe‐MEPE‐MMT available. Electrorheological measurements reveal for both nanocomposites a distinctive ER effect. The effect depends on the intercalated coordination polymer. Dielectric spectroscopy shows a different polarization for Fe‐MEPE‐MMT and Ni‐MEPE‐MMT.