Montmorillonite for clay-polymer nanocomposites: Intercalation of tailored compounds based on succinic anhydride, acid and acid salt derivatives—a review

Tailored compounds, based on alkyl-substituted derivatives of succinic anhydride, acid and dipotassium salt have been used to evaluate their role for intercalation of montmorillonite (MMT) and the formation of nanocomposites based on polyethylene (PE) in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer. The samples have been prepared via a solution dispersion technique. We found that these tailored compounds can be intercalated into the layers of montmorillonite and expansion of the lattice was confirmed by wide angle X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectra. The higher affinity of the succinic groups for the organoclay has been explained as well as the decrease of the polar function influence on the gallery expansion when increasing the hydrophobicity of the organic compounds.