Intercalation of various oxide species in-between Laponite layers studied by spectroscopic methods

Synthetic hectorite (laponite) was prepared and pillared by partially hydro lyzed Al, Zr and Cr salts. The synthesis of the host material as well as it s pillaring was successful. The samples were treated in various ways and we re characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectr oscopy and BET surface area measurements. It was found that the pillared st ructure survived calcination at 773 K making these materials potential shap e selective catalysts up to this temperature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.