Cation-π Interaction Triggered-Fluorescence of Clay Fillers in Polymer Composites for Quantification of Three-Dimensional Macrodispersion.

It is a considerable challenge to realize 3D fluorescence quantification of macrodispersion of clay fillers in a polymer matrix mainly owing to quenching of light emission in the solid state. Herein, a strong light emission is generated within the interlaminated clay as a result of a cation-π interaction between cationic surfactant and fluorescent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon when they are cointercalated into clay. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is applied for 3D imaging of macrodispersion of the fluorescence-labeled clay fillers in a silicone rubber matrix. More importantly, the quantification of macrodispersion of clay fillers in the overall polymer composite is established by a statistical model. The proposed method fills in an important gap in the standard for macrodispersion quantification of inorganic fillers in polymer composites.