Preparation of polyethylene–clay nanocomposites directly from Na+ montmorillonite by a melt intercalation method

Polyethylene (PE)/clay nanocomposites were prepared directly from Na⁺ montmorillonite by a melt intercalation technique, using hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C16) as a reactive compatibilizer. Three other polymer–clay nanocomposites were also prepared by this new technique. Their structures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanism of this new method was studied. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2583–2585, 2003