Clay Modification by the Use of Organic Cations

Abstract

To render layered silicates miscible with polymer matrices, one must convert the normally hydrophilic silicate surface to an organophilic one, making the intercalation of polymeric chain between silicate layers possible. This can be done by ion-exchange reactions with cationic surfactants. Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) was modified with several organic cationic surfactants. Organoclays with water soluble surfactants were prepared by the traditional cation ex-change reaction. An alternative procedure was used to prepare organoclays with water insoluble salts. The basal spacing and thermal behavior of organoclays were characterized by X-ray diffraction, XRD and Thermogravimetric analysis, TGA respectively.