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Sahin
Fig. 3 Polymer–clay composite structure types
Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages of composite types
Composite types Advantages
Disadvantages
Microcomposites • Easier to yield
• Showing both properties of
polymer and clay in limited
amounts
• Minimum clay gap
• Less uniformity
• Less clay gap
• Less polymer entrance
• Easier deformation
Intercalated
• Nanocomposite
• Bigger clay gap than
microcomposite
• Better distribution than
microcomposite
• Uniform properties than micro
composite
• Better adsorption and performance
than microcomposite
• Harder to produce
• Needs more time or chemicals to
produce make it in short time
Exfoliated
• Nanocomposite
• Bigger clay gap than intercalated
• Better distribution than intercalated
• Uniform properties than
intercalated
• Best adsorption and performance
• Hardest to produce
• Needs more time or chemicals to
produce make it in short time