Synthesis of a nanocomposite based on polyethylene and modified vermiculite

A composite of polyethylene and vermiculite, a natural aluminosilicate, has been prepared by treating vermiculite with a concentrated polyethylene solution in xylene. Varying the concentration of the polyethylene solution, we obtained materials with various compositions, which were then modified by heat treatment and chemical means (by HCl solution, followed by precipitation of metal ions). We have determined the elemental composition of the composite materials, obtained their IR spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns, and evaluated their surface properties and sorption capacity for organic dyes and oil products. The chemical modification of the composite materials increases their dye sorption capacity, which correlates with the observed changes in their specific surface area and specific pore volume.