Preparation of layered nanocomposites of PEO with MnPS3, CdPS3, and MoO3 by melt intercalation

Intercalated nanocomposites comprised of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and MPS3 (M = Mn, Cd) or MoO3 are prepared by the direct heating of the alkali-metal intercalated host with PEO. This process, known as melt intercalation, has previously been applied to polymers with layered silicates. Reaction rates and yields are low below the melting temperature for PEO, but at 125°C a significant or quantitative conversion to the ordered nanocomposite can be achieved in 5–30 h. Intercalated nanocomposite yields are followed by powder X-ray diffraction to provide relative reaction rates at 50, 75, and 125°C for PEO with Mw = 1 × 105 and 5 × 106.