Formation of Reinforcing Inorganic Network in Polymer via Hydrogen Bonding Self-Assembly Process.

The article reports a research study of the construction of a filler network to reinforce crystalline plastics, through the use of a self-assembly process using hydrogen bonding. Naturally-occurring halyosite nanotubes and silica are used as inorganic hydrogen-bonding couplers (IHC), because they offer specific sites for unpaired electron exchange. Organic species used as organic hydrogen-bonding couplers (OHC) include melamine, melamine cyanurate, and diphenyl guanidine. Paired IHC and OHC form a strong inorganic network using hydrogen bonds.