Characterization of sodium bentonites: Effect of treatment with ammonium salt-free organic surfactant

Abstract

Bentonites, which the main clay mineral is montmorillonite, are commercially attractive because of its abundance in nature. The clays can be modified by ion exchange reactions of ions contained in the interlayer region with cationic surfactants that include ammonium or phosphonium salts. The clays origin and the type of surfactants (modifiers) are the main factors in the alteration of physical and chemical properties of these materials. This study aims to characterize and compare the results of natural bentonites commercially available and the effect of treatments with quaternary ammonium salt and an organic compound free of ammonium salt. The FTIR and XRD results indicate the process of organophilization of clays after treatment with the surfactants. These treatments have altered the average particle size, suggesting the formation of agglomerates, which was showed in the SEM images. The results of surface area and particle size data indicated the presence of larger particles. Although the two surfactants have shown similarities in the investigated properties, the organoclays free of ammonium salt are more promising in terms of its use as well as for their preparation and solubility.