Synthesis and characterization of Na-montmorillonite-alkylammonium intercalation compounds

Some organophilic montmorillonites (OPMNTs) have been synthesized from Na-m ontmorillonite (Na-MNT) using ammonium salts of methyl, propyl, butyl, and dodecyl amine. Thermogravimetric (TG), infrared (IR), and X-ray analyses of the compounds were carried out. Microstructural parameters such as crystal lite size and root mean square strain (rms) (<e(2)>(1/2)) have been calcula ted by X-ray line profiles analysis. TG analysis in the temperature range 2 0-100<degrees>C show a weight loss for pure Na-MNT and OPMNTs of about 11% and 2.8%, respectively, indicating the organophilic properties of the OPMNT s. IR and X-ray analyses confirm the formation of OPMNTs by an ion exchange reaction. It is also observed that the crystallite size and rms strain inc rease with increase carbon number (n(c)) in the amines. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.