Preparation and microstructure of al-pillared interlayered montmorillonite

Abstract

Al-pillared interlayered montmorillonite (Al-PILM) was prepared using the artificial Na-montmorillonite from the Qingfengshan bentonite mine as a starting material mixed with Al-pillaring solutions. The microstructure of the materials was studied by an X-ray powder diffractormeter and a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The results indicated that the basal spacing [d(001) value] of the materials was increased significantly to 1.9194 nm relative to Na-montmorillonite (1.2182 nm). After calcined for 2 h at 300°C, the basal spacing was stabilized at 1.8394 nm and the layered structure of the materials was not destroyed. Thermal analysis was conducted by a thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) instrument, it showed that Al-PILM lost physically adsorbed water below 230.6°C and water formed by dehydroxylation of the pillars at around 497.1°C, with a peak of the phase transformation at 903.0°C.

Keywords

Al-pillared interlayered montmorillonite / pillaring solution / preparation / microstructure

References

[1] Mitchell I V. Pillared Layered Structures, 1990, London: Elsevier Applied Science, 252-252.

[2] Ming-li Cao. Advances in Preparation and Application of Montmorillonite Intercalation Compounds. Materials Review, 2001, 15(4): 30-32.

[3] Ming-li Cao, Yong-fu Yu, Ji-zu Yuan, . Preparation and Properties of Pillared Montmorillonite by Polyhydroxyl-aluminum-manganese Cations. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology —Materials Science Edition, 2002, 17(2): 43-46.

[4] Vaughan D E W. Pillared Clays—A Historical Perspective.Catal Today, 1988: 187–198.

[5] Ya-xiu Yang, Nai-min Zhang, Zhao-bin Su. Clay Minerals of China, 1994, Beijing: Geological Press, 126-130.

[6] Madejova J, Arvaiova B, Komadel. FTIR Spectroscopic Characterization of Thermally Treated Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Li⁺ Montmorillonites. Spectrochimica Acta Part A, 1999, 55: 2467-2476.

[7] Sterte J, Shabtai J. Cross-linked Smectites. V. Synthesis and Properties of Hydroxy-silicoaluminum Montmorillonites and Fluorhectorites. Clays Clay Miner, 1987, 35(6): 429-439.

[8] Plee D, Borg F, Gatineau L, . High-resolution Solid-state²⁷Al and²⁹Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Pillared Clays. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1985, 107: 2362-2369.

[9] Figueras F, Klapyta Z, Massiani P, . Use of Competitive Ion Exchange for Intercalation of Montmorillonite with Hydroy-aluminum Species. Clays Clay Miner, 1990, 38: 257-264.

[10] Hsu P H. Reaction of OH−Al Polymers with Smectites and Vermiculites. Clays Clay Miner, 1992, 40: 300-305.

[11] Schoonheydt R A, Leehman H, Scorpion A, . The Al Pillaring of Clays. Part II. Pillaring with Al₁₃O₄ (OH)₂₄ (H₂O)₁₂ ⁷⁺. Clays Clay Miner, 1994, 42: 518-607.