Intercalation of polymers in calcium silicate hydrate: A new synthetic approach to biocomposites?

Polymer molecules intercalated between the layers of calcium silicate hydra te during its precipitation from aqueous solution expand the interlayer dim ension. Alteration in the structure by changes in bulk composition allows p olymers of different charge to be intercalated. The polymer chains may adop t an extended linear conformation between the layers. In the schematic stru cture shown, PVA chains lie along the a axis perpendicular to the plane of the page, between the silicate chains of the layer.