Abstract
The adsorption of acrylonitrile (AN) monomer vapour in the interlamellar space of smectites exchanged with different cations (Na or Y or hexylammonium) was monitored and used to yield macromolecular layers. Polymerization in the presence or absence of a free-radical initiator was obtained by heating at 100 degrees C for 72 h. Cyclization can already be obtained at this stage, and is completed by heating the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-complexes at 220 degrees C for 48 h.