Reactive nanocomposites based on pillared clays

This work concerns the preparation of novel nanocomposite materials derivin g from pillared clays, which have been functionalised by treatment with eit her vanadium pentoxide or p-toluenesulfonic acid, with the aim to obtain po rous materials with oxidant or strong acid character, respectively. The syn thesis involves the use of montmorillonites and saponites, as starting 2 : 1 charged phyllosilicates to give the alumina pillared clays employed as ho st matrices for reagent inclusion. Characterisation of the resulting materi als was provided by chemical and thermal analyses, XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR and X PS spectroscopies,specific surface area and porosity measurements, and elec trochemical impedance technique. The reactivities of the nanocomposite mate rials have been tested with positive results in the oxidation of alcohols t o carbonyl compounds, in particular in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to b enzaldehyde, and also in the syntheses of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) an d bisphenol A. Good correlation between the proton conductivity obtained fr om electrochemical impedance and the acid catalytic activity of nanocomposi tes containing p-toluenesulfonic acid has been found.