Synthesis of Modified Nanoclay used in Epoxy-Clay Nanocomposites

Using polymer compounds made of a polymer base and a certain amount of solid additive substance, has been considered for a long time. To achieve the properties apart from the type of polymer, type and structural characteristics of fillers are of high importance. In these compounds, the interaction of particles and filling aggregations with polymer matrix determines the mechanical, rheological, thermal and viscoelastic properties of the system. Penetration of polymer chain in layers causes more opening of layers and in the best condition, a fully exfoliated of clay plains in polymer base, as mentioned in other references [1-3].The results of studies conducted in producing epoxy-clay nanocomposites have shown that the mechanical properties of nanocomposites, depends on its compatibility and the epoxy resin as well as the purity of nanoclay. Since achieving the exfoliated structure of nanoclay in the epoxy resin is not possible due to the difference in the organic nature of resin and mineral (inorganic) nature of nanoclay, it was necessary to purify nanoclay and study its modification by using organic materials [4-5].For this purpose, after purifying bentonite, the organoclay synthesis and the variables effective on characters and properties were studied.