Obtaining and characterizing organophilic clays for application in polymeric nanocomposites

A prominent application of bentonites clays is to obtain organoclays for use in polymer nanocomposites. In Brazil, there are several reports describing the treatment of clays for different applications, and processing of bentonite organoclay consists of a testing procedure is simple, performed by exchange reactions of cations (Na⁺ or Ca²⁺) on the surface and in the interlamellar of clay minerals by cations of quaternary ammonium salts. In this paper, the organophilics bentonites were prepared by using two different types of organic salts, and Cetremide Dodigen, and then were characterized to evaluate the feasibility of applying the same to obtain polymer nanocomposites. The results indicate that the clays under study have potential to be used as filler in the production of polymer nanocomposites, and may confer properties of technological value to the industries of the national market. (author)