Clay/nanocomposite hydrogels: In review

The development of advanced materials those are stronger, more rigid, lighter, hotter and self-renewable than existing has been the rising point many research studies conducted in recent years. Within this scope, interest to production nanostructured is received considerable attention worldwide due their potential positive contribution wide variety technological areas such as electronics, catalysis, adsorbents, ceramics, magnetic data storage, structural components etc. In these efforts polymer nanocomposites form hydrogels, reinforced with well-dispersed layered silicate, typically montmorillonite can be given a one promising composite material. However, long-standing problems for polymer-clay include actual exfoliation clay particles discrete layers, uniform distribution layers throughout polymer, randomness sequences. For particles, although chemical modification minerals aqueous media well-known general way applied by researchers, physical pathway method performed high-energy ball mills also gaining increasing an alternative pretreatment way. Grinding crushed key processes mineral cement industry, but increased concern on preparation fine-grained powders (nano powders) or manufacture composites desirable properties, especially use mills, led significantly widen usage field grinding. Undoubtedly, main reason improve performance materials. paper fundamental concepts, classification, characteristics methods clay/polymer was briefly reviewed base hydrogel. Particular paid pre-treatment (exfoliation) clays which increasingly being accepted eliminate negative effects treatment some forms.