NANOCOMPOSITE MICROGELS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, AND USES THEREOF

1 . Nanocomposite microgel particles, comprising a three-dimensional network comprising:

a water-swellable nanoclay; and

an organic network polymer;

wherein the nanocomposite microgel particles comprise primary nanocomposite microgel particles having a mean diameter of 1 to 10 micrometers.

2 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 1 , wherein a weight ratio of the water swellable nanoclay to the organic polymer is 0.01:1 to 10:1.

3 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 1 , wherein the water-swellable nanoclay is synthetic layered silicate.

4 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 3 , wherein the synthetic layered silicate is Laponite.

5 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 1 , wherein the organic network polymer is the polymerization product of a monomer composition comprising:

a water-soluble, polar, nonionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer,

a water-soluble, polar, ionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer, or

a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing monomers.

6 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 5 , wherein the water-soluble, polar, nonionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer is acrylamide, methacrylamide, N—(C 1 -C 8 alkyl)(meth)acrylamide, N,N-di(C 1 -C 8 alkyl)acrylamide, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, allyl alcohol, (meth)acrylic monomers having a sugar residue, (meth)acrylic monomers having a hydroxyl group, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing monomers.

7 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 5 , wherein the water-soluble, polar, ionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer is water-soluble, polar, anionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer.

8 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 7 , wherein the water-soluble, polar, anionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, allyl phosphonic acid, vinyl phosphonic acid, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing monomers.

9 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 5 , wherein the water-soluble, polar, ionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer is water-soluble, polar, cationic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer.

10 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 7 , wherein the monomer composition comprises:

20 to 100 wt. % of the water-soluble, polar, nonionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer, and

0 to 80 wt. % of the water-soluble, polar, anionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer.

11 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 7 , wherein the water-swellable nanoclay is Laponite, the water-soluble, polar, nonionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer is acrylamide, and the water-soluble, polar, anionic ethylenically monounsaturated monomer is acrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid.

12 . The nanocomposite microgel particles of claim 1 , further comprising crosslinks between the water-swellable nanoclay and the organic network polymer.

13 . A method for the manufacture of nanocomposite microgel particles, comprising:

forming an water-in-oil emulsion from

an aqueous phase comprising

a water-swellable nanoclay, and

a monomer composition;

an oil phase comprising an emulsifier; and

a polymerization initiator;

polymerizing the monomer composition in the emulsion to form the nanocomposite microgel;

isolating the nanocomposite microgel; and

drying the isolated nanocomposite microgel, to provide primary nanocomposite microgel particles.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the emulsion further comprises an accelerator.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the primary nanocomposite microgel particles have a mean diameter of 1 to 10 micrometers.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the polymerization is conducted under an inert atmosphere.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein dried isolated nanocomposite microgel is a shapeless solid.