Synthesis and characterization of synthetic mica-bionanocomposites

Bionanocomposites of low charge swelling mica with several functional organic moieties have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions at 120 °C and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet, infrared and energy dispersive spectroscopies. The low charge mica showed affinity for the intercalation of a range of organic guest molecules including cellulose and fructose. All nanocomposites retained the parent mica layered structure with guest molecules occupying the mica interlamellar space.