**3.1 Synthesis through melt intercalation and template synthesis methods (sol-gel technology)**

Melt-intercalative polymerization has been attributed as a process in which *in situ* sheets polymerization occurs. It is based on the release of embedded silicate inside an aqueous precursor in which polymerization is initiated thermally, by irradiation, by diffusion of an appropriate initiator, or by natural raw material. Initially, nylon-6 montmorillonite nanocomposite was synthesized by this technique, then its production facilitated the synthesis of other thermosetplastics and nanocomposites. *In situ* polymerization is the simplest form of thermosetclay NCs. Disadvantages of the method are; fast reaction rates and reliability on clay incorporation, swelling of clay, measurement of the dispersed layer monomer of clay, and oligomer is formed when polymerization is yet to be completed. The method is free from the solvent presence and does not require

a matrix and contains layered silica in a fused state. Conventionally, used methodologies include injection molding or extrusion in which thermoplastic NCs are mechanically mixed with organophilic clay at high temperatures. In this step, the polymer gets exfoliated to form the desired nanocomposite. This method is very simple to prepare thermoplastic nanocomposites. In the event of failure of *in situ* polymerization or formation of improper polymers, this method has been used.
