FUNCTIONALIZED ISOBUTYLENE POLYMER-INORGANIC CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES AND ORGANIC-AQUEOUS EMULSION PROCESS

摘要

A nanocomposite of a halogenated elastomer and an inorganic, exfoliatedclay, suitable for use as an air barrier, is disclosed. The halogenatedelastomer canbe a polymer comprising C4 to C7 isoolefin derived units, para-methylstyrenederived units, and para-(halomethylstyrene) derived units, or can be a butyl-typerubber. The nanocomposite can be formed by contacting an aqueous slurry ofinorganic clay with a polymer cement while agitating vigorously to formemulsions or micro-emulsions to intimately mix the inorganic clay and theelastomer. The nanocomposite so formed has improved air barrier properties andis suitable for use as an innerliner or innertube.