Features of Intercalation Processes in Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Oligoethylene Glycol and Organoclay

The structure features and intercalation processes in oligoethylene glycol (OEG)-based systems and organoclay were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis. It is established that after the introduction of surfactants, the interlayer distance in montmorillonite (MMT) increased. This indicates the intercalation process of surfactant molecules into the interlayer space of the MMT. After introduction to polymer matrix the increase in the interlayer distance is observed. This indicates the intercalation of two monolayers of OEG and the formation of quasibilayer structures. It is shown that the structure of OEG-based systems significantly depends on the content of the nanofiller. Partial processes of intercalation are observed in OEG-organoclay nanocomposites.