Preparation of nanocomposites of linear poly(ethylenimine) with layered hosts

Nanocomposites are prepared with the layered hosts Na-montmorillonite, MoS2, MoSe2, TiS2, TaS2, MoO3, and MPS(3) (M = Mn, Cd) incorporating linear poly(ethylenimine) (LPEI) by reaction of the colloidal host and LPEI in aqueous solution. The products exhibit lattice expansions along the stacking direction of 3.9-4.7 Angstrom and polymer contents of 13-18 mass percent, consistent with the formation of a single adsorbed monolayer of LPEI between host sheets. FTIR spectroscopic analyses indicate a low degree of protonation for the included polymer. Impedance data indicate that the bulk ionic conductivity of Na-montmorillonite increases by several orders of magnitude upon incorporation of LPEI.