Beall, GaryBartels, Jeremy W.2019-11-272019-11-272005-05Bartels, J. W. (2005). A survey of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) chemical modifications for montmorillonite clay (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/8938A study was conducted investigating food safe intercalates for montmorillonite clay. The GRAS chemicals used in the study were chosen based on the presence of an oxygenated head group or other similar functionality, as well as compatibility with polymeric media. The synthesized organoclays were examined via X-ray diffraction to ascertain d-spacing. Subsequent organoclays with large gallery spacing were then subjected to thermogravimetric analysis and polymer compounding tests. Pentaerythritol stearate and glyceryl stearate organoclays performed well, with d-spacings approximately six times that of dry montmorillonite. Pentaerythritol stearate organoclays showed high thermal stability, approximately 88°C above that of modem quaternary ammonium organoclay Cloisite 20A. There is also evidence of high intercalation ability in poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) and Nylon-6 for the pentaerythritol stearate organoclays.Text123 pages1 file (.pdf)enmontmorillonitenanostructured materialsfood safety measuresclayThesis