Intercalation of a block co-polymer in kaolinite

Intercalates of kaolinite/Polyethylene-block-poly (ethylene glycol) were successfully prepared by melt intercalation of the polymer with a kaolinite: dimethyl sulfoxide pre-intercalate. Powder X-ray diffraction gives an 11.05 Å d-spacing which remains after washing the material with water. Thermal gravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance confirm the presence of the polymer in the prepared material. Perturbation of the kaolinite hydroxyl stretch and the polymer's CH2 bending modes in the materials' infrared spectrum suggest strong interaction between the aluminol clay sheet and the ethylene glycol units in the polymer. Dipolar dephasing studies show both polymer blocks experience a significant loss in mobility in the prepared material, indicative of intercalation. The presence of highly hydrophobic polyethylene inside kaolinite is expected to drastically modify the nature of the interlayer space, and could be of interest for applications where retention or sequestration of hydrophobic species is required.