Intercalation agent free compositions useful to make nanocomposite polymers

Abstract

A method for preparing a filler composition useful for preparing a nanocomposite polymer is provided. The method includes a first step of dispersing a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water to form a dispersion and a second step of replacing at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent. The resulting filler composition features a water concentration of the liquid of less than six percent by weight, and the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material is less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step. A nanocomposite polymer, particularly and epoxy resin composition, can be prepared by mixing the above-made filler composition with one or more polymer, polymer component, monomer or prepolymer.