Structural, optical and electromagnetic properties of aluminum-clay nanocomposites

Aluminum pillared and exchanged bentonite particles were synthesized by the ion exchange method. The characteristics of the particles were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), reflectance spectrophotometer (RS) and electromagnetic transition instrument (ETI). FTIR spectra showed a successful incorporation of Al complexes into the clay interlayer. The TGA result demonstrated an improvement in thermal stability of the Al-pillared clay compared with the untreated particles. SEM and EDX results showed the presence of aluminum aggregates on the surface of clay. It was also found that Al ions affect electromagnetic properties of the clay particles.