IONIC AND MOLECULAR-TRANSPORT IN HYDROPHOBIZED MONTMORILLONITE FILMS - AN ELECTROCHEMICAL SURVEY

Clay-modified electrodes are used to investigate the swelling properti es of quaternary ammonium cation-modified Wyoming montmorillonite. Dis ruption of the structure of the clay was observed at modification rate s exceeding 37% of the available exchange sites. Signals for the trans port of an anionic pore sampler were attenuated in the presence of the QAC-modified clays. The electrochemistry of nitrobenzene proved the p resence of hydrophobic locations within the clay film. Nitrobenzene tr ansport was attenuated by the presence of the clay film but to a lesse r extent than the anion, suggesting sorption of the aromatic to the mo dified clay.