A stable dispersion of exfoliated layer substances is prepared through interlayer exfoliation of a layered compound. A dispersion including quaternary ammonium ions (A) each having a total carbon atom number of 15 to 45 and one or two C.sub.10-20 alkyl groups, and an anionic surfactant (B) having an ammonium ion, wherein plate-like particles (C) having an average thickness of 0.7 to 40 nm, an average major-axis length of 100 to 600 nm, an average minor-axis length of 50 to 300 nm, and a ratio of average major-axis length to average minor-axis length of 1.0 to 10.0 are dispersed in a liquid medium, and the plate-like particles (C) in the dispersion have an average particle diameter of 10 to 600 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering, and a transparent substrate using the dispersion.

A method for preparing a composition includes silico/germano-metal particles functionalized by at least one organic group, which involves:carrying out a hydrothermal treatment of a hydrogel precursor of the silico/germano-metal mineral particles, andpreparing a hydrogel including silico/germano-metal particles having at least one organic group by co-precipitation in an aqueous medium. A composition including functionalized silico/germano-metal mineral particles of which 1% to 75% of the silicon atoms and/or of the germanium atoms are covalently bonded to at least one organic group is also described.

A method for preparing a composition includes silico/germano-metal particles functionalized by at least one organic group, which involves:carrying out a hydrothermal treatment of a hydrogel precursor of the silico/germano-metal mineral particles, andpreparing a hydrogel including silico/germano-metal particles having at least one organic group by co-precipitation in an aqueous medium. A composition including functionalized silico/germano-metal mineral particles of which 1% to 75% of the silicon atoms and/or of the germanium atoms are covalently bonded to at least one organic group is also described.

A method of preparing a fiber-reinforced polymer composite is provided. The method includes (a) providing a swollen clay material; (b) chemically modifying a surface of the swollen clay material with an organosilane to form a silane-modified clay material; (c) intercalating the silane-modified clay material with a binder to form an intercalated clay material; and (d) melt compounding the intercalated clay material with a mixture comprising a polymer and fiber to form the fiber-reinforced polymer composite. A fiber-reinforced polymer composite is also provided.

A method of preparing a fiber-reinforced polymer composite is provided. The method includes (a) providing a swollen clay material; (b) chemically modifying a surface of the swollen clay material with an organosilane to form a silane-modified clay material; (c) intercalating the silane-modified clay material with a binder to form an intercalated clay material; and (d) melt compounding the intercalated clay material with a mixture comprising a polymer and fiber to form the fiber-reinforced polymer composite. A fiber-reinforced polymer composite is also provided.

Compositions comprising hollow mineral tubes comprising one or more essential oils (EOs) are disclosed. A process is provided for generating hollow mineral tube comprising one or more essential oils (EOs) and incorporating same in and/or on a substrate. Further disclosed are articles and methods, which are useful in inhibiting, reducing and/or retarding biofilm formation.

A method of forming a composition having exfoliated nanoplatelets functionalized with covalently bound surface-modifiers, includes exfoliating a layered nanoclay is exfoliated with a surfactant. The method also includes reacting the exfoliated layered nanoclay with a surface modifier comprising one or more of an epoxide, a silane, or an isocyanate.

A method of producing a complex of a lamellar inorganic compound and an organic compound includes: heat-treating a particular non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound within a pyrolysis temperature range of the non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound; and intercalating an organic compound into the non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound in a dispersion liquid in which the heat-treated non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound is dispersed in a medium, thereby inserting the organic compound into an interlamellar space of the non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound.

A method of producing a complex of a lamellar inorganic compound and an organic compound includes: heat-treating a particular non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound within a pyrolysis temperature range of the non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound; and intercalating an organic compound into the non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound in a dispersion liquid in which the heat-treated non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound is dispersed in a medium, thereby inserting the organic compound into an interlamellar space of the non-swelling lamellar inorganic compound.

A methodology for producing modified nanoclays which, when added to an elastomer, provide elastomeric nanocomposites with improved ageing, rheological and mechanical properties, and which can be devoid of, or containing low amount of, a filler such as carbon black, is provided. The modified nanoclays are made of a nanoclay, such as an organomodified nanoclay, modified so as to be in association with an amine-containing antioxidant and optionally also with a silyl-containing compound, such as mercaptosiloxane. Also provided are processes of preparing the modified nanoclays, elastomeric composites containing same and articles containing the elastomeric composites.