Organically modified zirconium phosphate by reaction with 1,2 epoxydodecane as host material for polymer intercalation: synthesis and physicochemical characterization

Organically modified R-layered zirconium phosphate samples (ZrP(C12)x) containing dodecyl groups bonded to the R-layers through P-O-C bonds have been prepared by reaction of 1,2-epoxydodecane solutions in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with gels of partially exfoliated zirconium phosphate in THF. Two dimensional correlation solid state NMR experiments for 1H-13C and 1H-31P nuclei have been used to prove the formation of P-O-C bonds arising from nucleophilic attack of POH mainly to carbon 1 and, to a lesser extent, to carbon 2 of epoxydodecane. ZrP(C12)x samples with x in the range from ~0.5 to ~2.0 are thermally stable up to at least 200 C, and their interlayer distance increases continuously with x from~20 to~35A° . On the basis of structural considerations, it has been suggested that samples with low x alues could intercalate aliphatic polymers. Accordingly, preliminary results have shown that molten polyethylene is intercalated in ZrP(C12)0.49 and ZrP(C12)0.73. These materials can therefore be regarded as filler candidates for polymer matrixes.