Synthesis of clay–carbon nanotube hybrids: Growth of carbon nanotubes in different types of iron modified montmorillonite

In the present study, montmorillonite–carbon nanotube hybrids were synthesized by catalytic decomposition of ethylene over iron montmorillonite surfaces modified by different experimental procedures. SEM and STEM analyses reveal the presence of carbon nanotubes attached to the clay layers and X-ray diffraction results indicate that sodium montmorillonite layers were intercalated with iron species during the ion-exchange processes and further delaminated due to the growth of carbon nanotubes. It is expected that montmorillonite–carbon nanotube hybrids will be beneficiary for improvement of mechanical properties in polymer nanocomposites due to their pre-exfoliated internal structure and the presence of surface carbon nanotubes which may significantly enhance reinforcing effect.