Thermal analysis of tetraethylammonium and benzyltrimethylammonium montmorillonites

Na-montmorillonite was loaded with tetraethylammonium cations (TEA) or with benzyltrimethylammonium cations (BTMA) by replacing 77 and 81% of the exchangeable Na with TEA or BTMA, labeled TEA-MONT and BTMA-MONT, respectively. TEA- and BTMA-MONT were heated in air up to 900?°C. Thermally treated organoclays are used in our laboratory as sorbents of organic compounds from water. The two organoclays were studied by TG and DTG in air and under nitrogen. Carbon content in each of the heated sample was determined. They were diffracted by X-ray, and fitting calculations of d(001) peaks were performed on each diffractogram. TG and thermo-C analysis showed that at 150 and 250?°C both organoclays lost water but not intercalated ammonium cations. DTG peak of the first oxidation step of the organic cation with the formation of low-temperature stable charcoal (LTSC) appeared at 364 and 313?°C for TEA- and BTMA-MONT, respectively. The charcoal was gradually oxidized by air with further rise in temperature. DTG peak of the second oxidation step with the formation of high-temperature stable charcoal (HTSC) appeared at 397 and 380?°C for TEA- and BTMA-MONT, respectively. DTG peak of the final oxidation step of the organic matter appeared at 694 and 705?°C for TEA- and BTMA-MONT, respectively, after the dehydroxylation of the clay. Thermo-XRD analysis detected TEA-MONT tactoids with spacing 1.40 and 1.46?nm up to 300?°C. At 300 and 360?°C, LTSC-MONT tactoids were detected with spacing of 1.29?nm. At higher temperatures, HTSC-MONT-?? and -?? tactoids were detected with spacings of 1.28 and 1.13?nm, respectively. BTMA-MONT tactoids with spacings 1.46 and 1.53?nm were detected up to 250?°C. At 300 and 360?°C, LTSC-MONT tactoids were detected with a spacing of 1.38?nm. At higher temperatures, HTSC-MONT-?? and -?? tactoids were detected with spacings of 1.28 and 1.17?nm, respectively. At 650?°C, both clays were collapsed. HTSC-??-MONT differs from HTSC-??-MONT by having carbon atoms keying into the ditrigonal holes of the clay-O-planes. At 900?°C, the clay fraction is amorphous. Trace amounts of spinel and cristobalite are obtained from thermal recrystallization of amorphous meta-MONT.     

The use of thermo-XRD-analysis in the study of organo-smectite complexes

Summary Thermo-XRD-analysis is applied to identify whether or not the adsorbed organic species penetrates into the interlayer space of the smectites mineral. In this technique an oriented smectite sample is gradually heated to temperatures above the irreversible dehydration of the clay, and after each thermal treatment is diffracted by X-ray at ambient conditions. In the thermal treatment of organo-clays, under air atmosphere at temperatures above 250°C, the organic matter is in part oxidized and charcoal is formed from the organic carbon. In inert atmosphere e.g. under vacuum above 250°C the organic matter is pyrolyzed and besides small molecules, charcoal is formed. If the adsorbed organic compound is located in the interlayer space, the charcoal is formed in that space, preventing the collapse of the clay. A basal spacing of above 1.12 nm suggests that during the adsorption the organic compound penetrated into the interlayer space. Thermo-XRD-analyses of montmorillonite complexes with anilines, fatty acids, alizarinate, protonated Congo red and of complexes of other smectites with acridine orange are described. To obtain information about spacings of the different tactoids that comprise the clay mixture, curve-fitting calculations on the X-ray diffractograms were adapted.     

Insight into the thermal decomposition of kaolinite intercalated with potassium acetate: an evolved gas analysis

The thermal decomposition process of kaolinite–potassium acetate intercalation complex has been studied using simultaneous thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (TG-FTIR-MS). The results showed that the thermal decomposition of the complex took place in four temperature ranges, namely 50–100, 260–320, 320–550, and 650–780 °C. The maximal mass losses rate for the thermal decomposition of the kaolinite–potassium acetate intercalation complex was observed at 81, 296, 378, 411, 486, and 733 °C, which was attributed to (a) loss of the adsorbed water, (b) thermal decomposition of surface-adsorbed potassium acetate (KAc), (c) the loss of the water coordinated to potassium acetate in the intercalated kaolinite, (d) the thermal decomposition of intercalated KAc in the interlayer of kaolinite and the removal of inner surface hydroxyls, (e) the loss of the inner hydroxyls, and (f) the thermal decomposition of carbonate derived from the decomposition of KAc. The thermal decomposition of intercalated potassium acetate started in the range 320–550 °C accompanied by the release of water, acetone, carbon dioxide, and acetic acid. The identification of pyrolysis fragment ions provided insight into the thermal decomposition mechanism. The results showed that the main decomposition fragment ions of the kaolinite–KAc intercalation complex were water, acetone, carbon dioxide, and acetic acid. TG-FTIR-MS was demonstrated to be a powerful tool for the investigation of kaolinite intercalation complexes. It delivers a detailed insight into the thermal decomposition processes of the kaolinite intercalation complexes characterized by mass loss and the evolved gases.     

Visible-spectroscopy study of the adsorption of alizarinate by Al-montmorillonite in aqueous suspensions and in solid state

The adsorption of the monovalent anionic dye alizarinate onto Na- and Al-montmorillonite was carried out by adding the dye into aqueous clay suspensions. Electronic spectra of aqueous suspensions and of air-dried dye-clay complexes were studied. Na-montmorillonite adsorbed only part of the added dye. With total amount of alizarinate up to 5 mmol dye per 100 g clay the adsorption of the dye takes place on the broken bonds, leading to peptization of the clay. Al-montmorillonite adsorbed alizarinate completely up to 10 mmol per 100 g clay. Above this loading there was a partition of the dye between the clay and the supernatant. The maximum adsorption for Na- and Al-clay was 4 and 25 mmol dye per 100 g clay, respectively. Absorption bands in the spectrum of Al-montmorillonite suspensions (488-504 nm) appear at longer wavelengths than in the spectrum of air-dried Al-montmorillonite (415-455 nm). Thermo-X-ray study of these clay-alizarinate complexes suggests that the organic compound was located in the interlayer space in Al-montmorillonite but was not located there in Na-montmorillonite. In Al-montmorillonite alizarinate formed a coordination complex with exchangeable Al(3+). In Na-montmorillonite it formed bonds with Al exposed on the broken-bonds sites.     

Thermo-infrared-spectroscopy analysis of the interaction of naphthylammonium–montmorillonite with sodium nitrite

The deep blue organoclay color pigment (OCCP), naphthylazonaphthylammonium–montmorillonite, was synthesized in an aqueous suspension by treating montmorillonite with naphthylammonium chloride followed after 2 h by NaNO₂. The reddish-brown azo dye naphthylazonaphthylamine (commercial name “Solvent Brown 3”) was synthesized in an aqueous solution in the absence of clay from the same reagents. X-ray diffraction and thermo-infrared (IR) spectroscopy of organoclay prepared by treating montmorillonite with naphthylammonium chloride showed that the organoclay contained two types of tactoids with intercalated naphthylammonium cations and with naphthylammonium–naphthylamine associations. Naphthylammonium clay was obtained after thoroughly washing the latter organoclay. IR spectra of naphthylamine, naphthylammonium chloride, naphthylammonium clay, naphthylammonium–naphthylamine clay (with some naphthylammonium-clay), OCCP, and Solvent Brown 3 in KBr disks were recorded before and after thermal treatments up to 120 °C. IR spectrum of the OCCP was similar to that of Solvent Brown 3. An NH₃ ⁺ group was identified in the spectrum of the OCCP but not in that of Solvent Brown 3. In the latter spectrum, an NH₂ group was identified, suggesting that the amine group of the azo dye in the OCCP was protonated. It appears that the difference in color between OCCP and Solvent Brown 3 resulted from the protonation of the azo molecule in the interlayer space of the clay.     

Thermo-X-ray-diffraction analysis of dimethylsulfoxide-kaolinite intercalation complexes

DMSO-kaolinite complexes of low- and high-defect Georgia kaolinite (KGa-1 and KGa-2, respectively) were investigated by thermo-XRD-analysis. X-ray patterns showed that DMSO was intercalated in both kaolinites with a d(001)-value of 1.11 nm (type I complex). The samples were gradually heated up to 170°C and diffracted by X-ray at room-temperature. With the rise in temperature, due to the thermal evolution of the guest molecules, the relative intensity of the 1.11 nm peak decreased and that of the 0.72 nm peak (neat kaolinite) increased indicating that the fraction of the non-intercalated tactoids increased. The 1.11 peak disappeared at 130–140°C. During the thermal treatment of both complexes two additional peaks appeared at 110 and 120°C, respectively, with d-values of 0.79–0.94 and 0.61–0.67 nm in DMSO-KGa-1 and 0.81–0.86 and 0.62–0.66 nm in DMSO-KGa-2, indicating the formation of a new phase (type II complex). The new complex was obtained by the dehydration of type I complex and was composed of intercalated DMSO molecules which did not escape. The new peaks disappeared at 150–160°C indicating the complete escape of DMSO.     

Thermo-XRD-analysis of Co-, Ni- and Cu-montmorillonite treated with anionic alizarinate

Co- and Ni-montmorillonites adsorb in aqueous suspensions up to 13 mmol alizarinate per 100 g clay, onto the broken-bonds whereas Cu-clay adsorbs up to 25 mmol dye per 100 g clay into the interlayer space. Unloaded Co-, Ni- and Cu-clays and samples loaded with increasing amounts of alizarinate, were gradually heated in air to 360°C and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. All diffractograms were curve-fitted. Fitted diffractograms of non-heated samples, showed two peak components labeled C and D, at<span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>?1.22 and<span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>?1.32 nm, characterizing tactoids with mono- and non-complete bilayers of water, respectively. After heating at 120°C component D decreased or disappeared and two new components A and B appeared at<span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>?0.99 and<span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>?1.08 nm, representing collapsed tactoids and tactoids with interlamellar oxy-cations, respectively. At 250°C, C and D decreased or disappeared but A and B appeared in all fitted diffractograms. Co- and Ni-clay after heating at 360°C did not show C and D. Components A and B proved that these clays collapsed indicating that initially there was no alizarinate in the interlayers. At 360°C, C and D persisted in the fitted-diffractograms of Cu-clay, representing tactoids with interlamellar charcoal formed from the partial oxidation of adsorbed dye initially located in the interlayers.     

Thermal analysis of hexadecyltrimethylammonium-montmorillonites

Na-montmorillonite (Na-MONT) was loaded with hexadecyltrimethylammonium cations (HDTMA) by replacing 41 and 90% of the exchangeable Na with HDTMA. The organoclays were labeled OC-41 and OC-90, respectively. Freeze-dried Na-MONT, OC-41, and OC-90 were heated in air at 150, 250, 360, 420, 550, 700, and 900 °C. The thermally treated samples were suspended in water, air-dried, and desiccated over silica during 40 days. All samples were diffracted by X-ray and fitting calculations were performed on each diffractogram. These calculations gave information on basal spacings, relative concentrations, and homogeneity of the different tactoids obtained at each temperature, before and after suspending and desiccating. HDTMA-MONT tactoids with spacing ≥1.41 nm appeared between 25 and 250 °C. OC-41 or OC-90 intercalated monolayers or bilayers of HDTMA, respectively. At 250 °C OC-41 was air-oxidized to a smaller extent than OC-90, resulting in charcoal-MONT tactoids. With further heating the organic matter was gradually oxidized and at 700 °C both clays were collapsed. During the thermo-XRD-analysis of both organoclays three types of charcoal-MONT complexes appeared: (1) LTSC-MONT tactoids with a basal spacing 1.32–1.39 nm, between 250 and 420 °C in both clays; (2) HTSC-α-MONT tactoids with spacing 1.22–1.28 nm, between 360 or 250 and 500 or 550 °C in OC-41 or OC-90, respectively; (3) HTSC-β-MONT with spacing 1.12–1.18 nm, between 360 and 550 °C in both clays, where LTSC and HTSC are low- and high-temperature stable charcoal, respectively. HTSC-β-MONT differs from HTSC-α-MONT by having carbon atoms keying into the ditrigonal holes of the clay-O-planes.     

Thermal analysis of tributylammonium montmorillonite and laponite

Montmorillonite and Laponite loaded with different amounts of tributylammonium cations (TBAH⁺), up to 40 and 30 mmol, respectively, per 100 g clay, were studied by thermo-XRD-analysis. TBAH-smectites heated at 300 and 420°C exhibited basal spacings of 1.30 and 1.24 nm, attributed to smectite tactoids with low- and high-temperature-stable monolayer charcoals, respectively in the interlayers. DTA-EGA and TG of the TBAH-smectites showed four stages of mass loss labeled A, B, C and D. Stage A below 250°C, accompanied by an endothermic DTA peak, resulted from the dehydration of the clay. Mass loss stages B, C and D, at 250–380, 380–605°C and above 605°C, respectively, accompanied by exothermic DTA peaks, were due to three oxidation steps of the organic matter. In mass loss stage B (first oxidation step) mainly organic hydrogen was oxidized to H2O whereas carbon and nitrogen formed low- and high-temperature-stable charcoals. In stages C and D (second and third oxidation steps) low- and high-temperature- stable charcoals were oxidized, respectively. Dehydroxylation of the smectites occurred together with the second and third oxidation steps. Thermal mass loss at each step was calculated from the TG curves showing that in montmorillonite the percentage of high-temperature-stable charcoal from total charcoal decreased with higher TBAH⁺ loadings of the clay whereas in Laponite this percentage increased with higher loadings of the clay.     

Effect of polymerically‐modified clay structure on the morphology and properties of UV‐cured polyurethane acrylate/clay nanocomposites

Polyurethane acrylate (PUA)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by UV‐curing from a series of styrene‐based polymerically‐modified clays and PUA resin. Effect of the chemical structure of the polymeric surfactants on the morphology and tensile properties of nanocomposites has been explored. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experimental results indicated that surfactants having hydroxyl or amino groups show better dispersion and some of the clay platelets were fully exfoliated. However, the composites formed from pristine clay and other polymerically‐modified clays without hydroxyl or amino groups typically contained both tactoids and intercalated structure. The mechanical properties of PUA composites were greatly improved where the organoclays dispersed well. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were carried out to examine the thermal properties of the composites. The results showed that the loading of polymerically‐modified clays do not effect the thermal stability, but increased the Tgs of PUA/clay composites. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the intercalation conditions of a montmorillonite with octadecylamine

Intercalation of montmorillonite with octadecylamine under several conditions is reported. Octadecylamine was protonated in situ with HCl to obtain octadecylammonium cations. Water and water/ethanol mixtures were used as reaction medium, and the ratios amine/clay and HCl/amine were also varied. Intercalation was successful when the amine/clay ratio was in the range 1-3 mmol/g; optimal results were obtained for an amine/clay ratio of 2.0 mmol/g. For a given amine/clay ratio, the HCl/amine ratio also influences the intercalation. Basal spacings of the intercalated solids were between 13.4-36.7 angstroms. The amount of organic matter incorporated into the solids also varied widely; up to 40 wt% is fixed. Specific surface area is very low in all the intercalated solids because of the blockage of the clay porosity by the organic molecules. Co-intercalation of octadecylammonium and of the inorganic polycation [Al13O4(OH)24(H2O)12]7+ was also considered, giving rise to intercalated solids with basal spacings between 17 and 22 A, also with a high fixation of organic matter.     

Monoionic montmorillonites treated with Congo-Red

The adsorption of the anionic dye congo-red (CR) by Na-, Cs-, Mg-, Al- and Fe-montmorillonite was studied by simultaneous DTA-TG. Thermal analysis curves of adsorbed CR were compared with those of neat CR. The oxidation of neat CR is completed below 570°C. Thermal analysis curves of adsorbed CR show three regions representing dehydration of the clay, oxidation of the organic dye and dehydroxylation of the clay together with the oxidation of residual organic matter. The oxidation of the dye begins at about 250°C with the transformation of organic H atoms into water and carbon into charcoal. Two types of charcoal are obtained, low-temperature and high-temperature stable charcoal. The former gives rise to an exothermic peak in the second region of the thermal analysis and the latter in the third region. The exchangeable metallic cation determines the ratio between the low-temperature and high-temperature stable charcoal, which is formed. With increasing acidity of the exchangeable metallic cation higher amounts of high-temperature stable charcoal are obtained. It was suggested that aromatic compounds p bonded to the oxygen plane of the clay framework are converted into charcoal, which is burnt at about 550-700°C. With increasing surface acidity of the clay more species of CR are protonated. Only protonated dye species can form p bonds with oxygen plane and are converted to high-temperature stable charcoal during the thermal analysis. The thermal behavior of the dye complex of Cu-montmorillonite is different probably due to the catalytic effect of Cu. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of solid acidity of clay minerals on the thermal decomposition of 12-aminolauric acid

In this study, the effects of four types of clay minerals on the thermal decomposition of 12-aminolauric acid (ALA) were investigated. The decomposition temperature of ALA in ALA–clay complexes was in the range of 200–500 °C. The derivative thermogravimetry results indicated that all clay minerals exhibited catalytic activity on the decomposition of ALA. Pure ALA decomposed at approximately 464 °C, a temperature higher than the decomposition temperature of ALA in the presence of clay minerals. The decomposition temperature of ALA in different ALA–clay complexes follows the order illite (452 °C) > kaolinite (419 °C) > rectorite (417 °C) > montmorillonite (400 °C). This order is negatively correlated with the amounts of solid acid sites in the clay minerals, indicating that ALA is catalyzed by the solid acid sites in these minerals.     

Synthesis of Gd<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> perovskite-type nanopowders for adsorptive removal of MB dye from water

In the present study, nanoparticles of perovskite-type Gd_0.5Sr_0.5FeO₃ (GSFO) were fabricated by a sol–gel method. A series of analytical techniques were used to characterize the crystallinity, morphology, specific surface area and grain size of GSFO powders. The thermal decomposition process of the complex precursor was examined by means of differential thermal analysis–thermal gravimetric analysis. X-ray diffraction results showed that a single perovskite phase was completely formed after calcination at 700 °C. In addition, transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the average size of the particles is approximately 35.23 nm in diameter. The surface morphology and composition of these nanopowders were also investigated using a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. GSFO nanoparticles showed excellent adsorption efficiency towards methylene blue dye in aqueous solution. The adsorption studies were carried out at different pH values, initial dye concentrations, various adsorbent doses and contact time in batch experiments. The dye removal efficiency was found to be increased with increasing the initial pH of the dye solution, and GSFO exhibited good dye removal efficiency at a basic pH, especially at a pH of 12. Experimental results indicated that the adsorption kinetic data follow a pseudo-second-order rate for the tested dye. The isotherm evaluations revealed that the Redlich–Peterson model attained better fits to the experiment's equilibrium data than the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models.     

Thermo-infrared-spectroscopy analysis of dimethylsulfoxide-kaolinite intercalation complexes

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) kaolinite complexes of low-and high-defect kaolinites were studied by thermo-IR-spectroscopy analysis. Samples were gradually heated up to 170°C, three hours at each temperature. After cooling to room temperature, they were pressed into KBr disks and their spectra were recorded. From the spectra two types of complexes were identified. In the spectrum of type I complex two bands were attributed to asymmetric and symmetric H-O-H stretching vibrations of intercalated water, bridging between DMSO and the clay-O-planes. As a result of H-bonds between intercalated water molecules and the O-planes, Si-O vibrations of the clay framework were perturbed, in the low-defect kaolinite more than in the high-defect. Type II complex was obtained by the thermal escape of the intercalated water. Consequently, the H-O-H bands were absent from the spectrum of type II complex and the Si-O bands were not perturbed. Type I complex was present up to 120°C whereas type II between 130 and 150°C. The presence of intercalated DMSO was proved from the appearance of methyl bands. These bands decreased with temperature due to the thermal evolution of DMSO but disappeared only in spectra of samples heated at 160°C. Intercalated DMSO was H-bonded to the inner-surface hydroxyls and vibrations associated with this group were perturbed. Due to the thermal evolution of DMSO the intensities of the perturbed bands decreased with the temperature. They disappeared at 160°C together with the methyl bands.     

Spectroscopic Mimicry for the Protonated Retinal Schiff Base in vivo with Modified Amphiphilic Clay Interlayers as a Possible Model of Opsin Environment

Abstract— We have found that clay acts as a novel model matrix for the amphiphilic protein-opsin to mimic the visible absorption spectrum of a protonated retinal Schiff base (RSB) in vivo. Without strong acids at ambient temperature, a visible broad absorption spectrum with a LDmax at 530 nm covering the range from 400 to 680 nm was achieved for the protonated RSB with cationic surfactant-modified montmorillonite clay. The interlayers of the dimethyloctadecylamine (DOA) modified clay were found to provide amphiphilic space allowing the amphiphilic RSB to be intercalated easily and sequentially and protonated by the DOA. It is proposed that the visible absorption spectrum at LD, 530 nm was attributable to electrostatic effects, permitting the appropriate distance between the nitrogen of the protonated RSB and the negatively charged clay interlayers and also to the anisotropic orientation of the RSB molecules in the interlayers.     

Effect of flocculated structure on rheology of poly(butylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites

The microstructure and rheological property of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/epoxy/montmorillonite nanocomposites (PCNs) were investigated. For the study, PCNs were prepared by melt intercalation in clay content of 4 wt % and, epoxy loadings were varied from 2 to 4 wt %. The intercalated PCNs are characterized by different techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and rheology. It is interesting that the percolated tactoids network in the ternary hybrids becomes insensitive to the shear deformation with the addition of epoxy in contrast to that in the sample without epoxy, which can be attributed to the formation of a flocculated structure of clay tactoids because of the chain‐extension reactions between PBT matrix and epoxy and possible hydrogen bonding. The flocculated structure has influence on the rheological behavior of the hybrids remarkably, strengthening the percolated strong‐associated‐tactoids network and reducing the percolation threshold, while not changing the strain‐scaling. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2807–2818, 2005     

Hydrodehalogenation of Halogenated Organic Contaminants from Aqueous Sources by Pd Nanoparticles Dispersed in the Micropores of Pillared Clays Under Transfer Hydrogenation Condition

Palladium nanoparticles dispersed in the micropores of the Al-pillared clay was prepared by chemical reduction of palladium chloride salt. The Al-pillared clay was prepared by insertion of [AlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂]⁷⁺ clusters into clay interlayer and subsequent thermal activation. The pillared clay supported system (Pd/Al–P) was characterized using XRD, IR, UV–Vis, SEM, TEM and sorptometric technique. The expansion of the interlayer space as a result of pillaring was noted for Pd/Al–P system from the XRD study. The TEM study of the supported system indicated well dispersion of the Pd species with particle size in the range of 5–30 nm. The supported Pd particles were used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrodehalogenation of halogenated organics under hydrogen transfer condition using hydrazine hydrate as hydrogen donating agent. The effect of various reaction parameters such as temperature, time, and nature of support, type of hydrogen transfer agents and functionality of substrate was studied in details. The catalytic study clearly indicated superior catalytic activity of the supported Pd system in presence of hydrazine hydrate as hydrogen donating agent. The Al-pillared clay as support influences the dispersion and catalytic activity of the supported Pd nanoparticles.     

Thermal stability of ionene polymers

Two different cationic polymers of the same chemical type and with very similar chemical structures were reacted with a natural bentonite over a wide range of polymer/clay ratios. This study involved the synthesis of cationic aliphatic ammonium polyionenes, specifically 3,6-ionene and 3,6-dodecylionene. Ionenes are ion-containing polymers that contain quaternary nitrogen atoms in the main macromolecular chain as opposed to a pendant chain. The CHN content, basal spacing, and elemental composition of each of the polymer–clay complexes were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and thermogravimetry. All the polycations reacted to form interlayer complexes with clay, which displaced more Na⁺ and little Ca²⁺. Sodium and calcium were both present as interlayer cations in the clay and its complexes. The TG/DTG curves show that both polymers underwent thermal degradation in more than one stage. Specifically, 3,6-ionene was found to undergo two stages of decomposition and 3,6-dodecylionene undergo three stages. The behavior of the TG/DTG curves and the activation energy values suggest that 3,6-dodecylionene (E = 174,85 kJ mol^?1) complexes have greater thermal stability than 3,6-ionene (E = 115,52 kJ mol^?1) complexes. The mechanism of degradation suggests a direct interaction with the dodecyl chain containing 12 carbons, which are present in 3,6-dodecylionene but not in 3,6-ionene.     

Phase behavior of modified montmorillonite– poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) nanocomposites

The thermal behavior and overall isothermal crystallization kinetics of a series of organophilic modified montmorillonite–poly(?‐caprolactone) nanocomposites were investigated. In general, the thermal behavior was influenced more by the type of dispersion than by the clay content. For nanocomposites in which silicate platelets were predominantly dispersed in the polymer matrix to give exfoliated structures, the thermal properties were improved with respect to those of neat poly(?‐caprolactone), whereas in those cases in which simply intercalated structures were attained, the thermal properties regularly decayed as the clay content increased. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1321–1332, 2004