Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant monomer carbonyl-functional compound and/or a carboxylic acid-functional compound to sorb or intercalate the intercalant monomer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant monomer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 5 .ANG. (as measured after water removal to a maximum of 5% by weight water), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 10-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets. The intercalated complex can be combined with an organic liquid into a viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound; or the intercalated complex can be combined with a matrix polymer to form a strong, filled polymer matrix.

Abstract: Nanocomposites are manufactured by combining a host material, such as an organic solvent or a matrix polymer and exfoliated intercalates formed by contacting a phyllosilicate with a polymer to adsorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets. Sufficient polymer is adsorbed between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 5 .ANG., preferably at least about 10 .ANG. (as measured after water removal), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 30-40 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated, e.g., when mixed with an organic solvent or a polymer melt, to provide a carrier material for drugs and the like, or to provide a matrix polymer/platelet composite (nanocomposite) material--the platelets being exfoliated from the intercalate.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting an activated layered material, e.g., an activated phyllosilicate, with an intercalant pesticide to intercalate an intercalant pesticide between adjacent platelets of the layered material is disclosed. Sufficient intercalant pesticide is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 5 .ANG. (as measured after water removal to a maximum of 5% by weight water) up to about 100 .ANG., and preferably in the range of about 10 to about 45 .ANG., so that, if desired, the intercalate can be exfoliated into individual platelets. The intercalate can be combined with an organic liquid to form a viscous composition for delivery of a pesticide compound. Alternatively, the intercalate can be exfoliated prior to combination with the organic liquid. The intercalated complex also can be admixed with solid particles to provide a granular, dust, or wettable powder pesticide composition.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting the layer material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant polymer to sorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant polymer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 50 .ANG. (as measured after water removal to a maximum of 5% by weight water), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 10-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets. The intercalated complex is combined with an organic liquid into an unexpectedly viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound, e.g., a pharmaceutical, or cosmetic, or lubricant, e.g., food guide lubricants dissolved or dispersed in the carrier material. Alternatively, the intercalated complex can be exfoliated prior to combination with the organic liquid.

Abstract: Nanocomposites are manufactured by combining a matrix polymer and exfoliated intercalates formed by contacting a phyllosilicate with a water-insoluble polymer to adsorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets. Sufficient water-insoluble polymer is adsorbed between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 10 .ANG. (as measured after water removal), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 30-40 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated, e.g., when mixed with a polymer melt, to provide a matrix polymer/platelet composite (nanocomposite) material--the platelets being exfoliated from the intercalate.

Abstract: A method of increasing the nutritional value of mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed ingested by an animal by feeding the animal an acid-activated montmorillonite clay simultaneously with the mycotoxin-contaminated or ergot-contaminated animal feed. The acid-activated montmorillonite clay can be fed to the animal in any form, e.g., granular, powder, pellets and the like or can be admixed with other animal food or feed supplements, so long as the clay is present in the animal's stomach (digestive tract) at the same time as the mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed in an amount sufficient to absorb or adsorb mycotoxin from the digestive tract of the animal and thereby aid the animal in metabolic absorption of nutrients from the contaminated animal feed.

Abstract: An animal litter including an extruded smectite clay that forms stronger clumps, when wetted with animal urine, due to the extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the extruded smectite clay is mixed, before or after extrusion, with a small percentage, preferably at least about 0.025% to less than 0.1%, based on the dry weight of the smectite clay, of a water-soluble adhesive that forms improved, stronger, more cohesive clumps that can be essentially completely removed from a litter box leaving the remaining litter box contents odor-free.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by mixing the phyllosilicate with a polymer and a liquid carrier, and extruding the mixture through a die-opening to adsorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets. Sufficient polymer is adsorbed between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 10 .ANG. (as measured after water removal), up to about 55 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 30-40 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets by heating the polymer to its melting point, to provide a matrix polymer/platelet composite material.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons and other substantially water insoluble organic contaminants may be efficiently removed from a low pH aqueous wastewater stream by contacting the stream with a sorption medium comprising an organoclay, preferably in admixture with a diluent having a density similar to that of the clay. Surprisingly, the sorbent is not adversely affected by contact with the extremely low pH aqueous stream.

Abstract: Exfoliated layered silicate material derived from intercalates formed by contacting the layer material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant polymer to sorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant polymer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 10 .ANG. (as measured after water removal), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 30-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated, e.g., when mixed with a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix polymer melt, to provide a matrix polymer/platelet nanocomposite material--the platelets being exfoliated from the intercalate.

Abstract: An animal litter including an extruded smectite clay that forms stronger clumps, when wetted with animal urine, due to the extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the extruded smectite clay is mixed, before or after extrusion, with a small percentage, preferably at least about 0.025% to less than 0.1%, based on the dry weight of the smectite clay, of a water-soluble adhesive that forms improved, stronger, more cohesive clumps that can be essentially completely removed from a litter box leaving the remaining litter box contents odor-free.

Abstract: An allergen absorbent and blocking aerosol composition for topical application to the skin comprises a highly activated organophilic clay of the smectite type, ion exchanged with a quaternary ammonium compound having aryl or alkyl groups in the range of from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and a vehicle comprising one or more long-chain hydrocarbons or volatile silicone oils. The composition is preferably in the form of an aerosol composition additionally comprising an aerosol propellant. The composition is applied to the skin, preferably by spraying, to block and absorb the allergenic oils of toxic plants such as poison ivy and the like.

Abstract: Organophilic clays useful for modifying the rheological properties of organic fluids are made from a smectite type clay, a quaternary ammonium compound and an organosilane.

Abstract: An allergen absorbent and blocking aerosol composition for topical application to the skin comprises a highly activated organophilic clay of the smectite type, ion exchanged with a quaternary ammonium compound having aryl or alkyl groups in the range of from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and a vehicle comprising one or more long-chain hydrocarbons or volatile silicone oils. The composition is preferably in the form of an aerosol composition additionally comprising an aerosol propellant. The composition is applied to the skin, preferably by spraying, to block and absorb the allergenic oils of toxic plants such as poison ivy and the like.

Abstract: A process whereby a smectite clay having a cationic exchange capacity of at least 50 meq./100 gm of clay is reacted with a quaternary ammonium compound to yield a cationic structure suitable as a thickener for aqueous suspensions, particularly latex paints and caulks. The general structure of the quaternary ammonium compound is typically a nitrogen atom bonded to four separated carbon chains where one chain can be a methyl or alkyl group containing 10 to 22 carbons, and the second chain an alkyl group containing from 10 to 22 carbons or a polyoxyethylene chain. The third and fourth chains are polyoxyethylene chains where the total munber of ethylene oxide units is from 5 to 200 moles.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating polar or aqueous fluid compositions containing an amount of an organic contaminant to immobilize the contaminant by forming a nonflowable matrix containing the contaminant. The non-flowable matrix can be easily disposed of. The method comprises adding a sufficient amount of organoclay to the fluid composition to absorb substantially all of the organic contaminant. A sufficient amount of solid adsorbent is added to the composition to absorb or react with substantially all of the polar fluid or water to form a substantially non-flowable matrix. Typically, such polar fluids or aqueous compositions are in emulsion form with the organic contaminant, and the addition of the organoclay breaks the emulsion, permitting removal of a portion of the water or polar fluid from the composition to thereby reduce the volume to be disposed of. The method of this invention immobilizes the organic contaminant, in such a manner that it is non-leachable from the matrix.

Abstract: A method is provided of removing organic contaminants from an aqueous composition contaminated therewith. The method comprises contacting the aqueous composition with a sufficient amount of organoclay for a sufficient amount of time to absorb a substantial portion of the contaminant, and to form an aqueous organoclay admixture. The organoclay and aqueous composition are then separated from each other. The method is particularly useful for separating oily contaminants from water toxic substance precursors, e.g. humic acid and toxic organics (e.g. PCB) from water.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing organic contaminants from an aqueous composition contaminated therewith. The method comprises passing the composition through a first column packed with an organoclay, to adsorb substantial quantities of high molecular weight and/or emulsified components of said organic contaminants, and passing the effluent from said first column through further separating means for separating substantial quantities of the low molecular components of said organic contaminants which remain in the effluent from said first column, and recovering the effluent from said separate means as product.

Abstract: A method for controlling and containing organic material by sorbing it into an organoclay. Solid or liquid waste material or waste material in aqueous solution containing organic material are combined with a sufficient amount of organoclay to sorb and contain the organic material in the organoclay.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating polar or aqueous fluid emulsions of an organic composition. The method comprises contacting the emulsion with an emulsion-breaking amount of an organoclay to adsorb a major portion of the organic composition. Preferably, a portion of the water or polar fluid is then removed.