Abstract
The decomposition mechanism of inorganic-layered saponite nanoparticle was studied on a molecular scale based on the results of X-ray diffraction(XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy(FT-IR), thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis(TG-DTA), and positronium(Ps) lifetime spectrpscopy. It is found that decomposition is caused by the refinement of nanosheet due to vertical cutting as well as in-plane shear separating. These processes significantly reduce existing open spaces, but yield the metastable open spaces created by highly disordered nanosheets.
