ABSTRACTClay-polymer nanoparticulate composite materials are evaluated by the X-ray
diffraction technique. The basal plane spacing provided information about
the degree of intercalation and exfoliation of the 2: 1 layered clay
structure. Both intercalation and exfoliation are controlled by the identity
of the polymer and the clay:polymer ratio.
Dual-gradient structure leads to optimized combination of high fracture resistance and strength-ductility synergy with minimized final catastrophic failure