Synthesis of clay-carbon nanotube hybrids: Growth of carbon nanotubes in different types of iron modified montmorillonite

authors	Madaleno, L; Pyrz, R; Jensen, LR; Pinto, JJC; Lopes, AB; Dolomanova, V; Schjodt-Thomsen, J; Rauhe, JCM
nationality	International
journal	COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
author keywords	Montmorillonite/carbon nanotube hybrids; Delamination; X-ray diffraction (XRD); Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); Chemical vapour deposition
keywords	NANOCOMPOSITES; CATALYSTS; MINERALS; NANOCLAY
abstract	In the present study, montmorillonite-carbon nanotube hybrids were synthesized by catalytic decomposition of ethylene over iron montmorillonite surfaces modified by different experimental procedures. SEM and STEM analyses reveal the presence of carbon nanotubes attached to the clay layers and X-ray diffraction results indicate that sodium montmorillonite layers were intercalated with iron species during the ion-exchange processes and further delaminated due to the growth of carbon nanotubes. It is expected that montmorillonite-carbon nanotube hybrids will be beneficiary for improvement of mechanical properties in polymer nanocomposites due to their pre-exfoliated internal structure and the presence of surface carbon nanotubes which may significantly enhance reinforcing effect. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
publisher	ELSEVIER SCI LTD
issn	0266-3538
year published	2012
volume	72
issue	3
beginning page	377
ending page	381
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.11.027
web of science category	Materials Science, Composites
subject category	Materials Science
unique article identifier	WOS:000301615800001