Molecular dynamics simulation of TCDD adsorption on organo-montmorillonite

In this work, molecular dynamics simulation was applied to investigate the adsorption of Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) on tetramethylammonium (TMA) and tetrapropylammonium (TPA) modified montmorillonite, with the aim of providing novel information for understanding the adsorptive characteristics of organo-montmorillonite toward organic contaminants. The simulation results showed that on both outer surface and interlayer space of TPA modified montmorillonite (TPA-mont), TCDD was adsorbed between the TPA cations with the molecular edge facing siloxane surface. Similar result was observed for the adsorption on the outer surface of TMA modified montmorillonite (TMA-mont). These results indicated that TCDD had stronger interaction with organic cation than with siloxane surface. While in the interlayer space of TMA-mont, TCDD showed a coplanar orientation with the siloxane surfaces, which could be ascribed to the limited gallery height within TMA-mont interlayer. Comparing with TMA-mont, TPA-mont had larger adsorption energy toward TCDD but smaller interlayer space to accommodate TCDD. Our results indicated that molecular dynamics simulation can be a powerful tool in characterizing the adsorptive characteristics of organoclays and provided additional proof that for the organo-montmorillonite synthesized with small organic cations, the available interlayer space rather than the attractive force plays the dominant role for their adsorption capacity toward HOCs.     

Heterostructured nanohybrid of zinc oxide-montmorillonite clay

We have synthesized heterostructured zinc oxide-aluminosilicate nanohybrids through a hydrothermal reaction between the colloidal suspension of exfoliated montmorillonite nanosheets and the sol solution of zinc acetate. According to X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, and field emission-scanning electron microscopic analyses, it was found that the intercalation of zinc oxide nanoparticles expands the basal spacing of the host montmorillonite clay, and the crystallites of the nanohybrids are assembled to form a house-of-cards structure. From UV-vis spectroscopic investigation, it becomes certain that calcined nanohybrid contains two kinds of the zinc oxide species in the interlayer space of host lattice and in mesopores formed by the house-of-cards type stacking of the crystallites. Zn K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure/extended X-ray absorption fine structure analyses clearly demonstrate that guest species in the nanohybrids exist as nanocrystalline zinc oxides with wurzite-type structure.     

Preparation and stability of strongly luminescent CdSe/Cd(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite particles in aqueous solution

Cadmium hydroxide-deposited cadmium selenide nanoparticles were prepared by the addition of cadmium sulfate solution to cadmium selenide nanoparticles in a weak alkaline solution at room temperature. The photoluminescence measurements displayed that the luminescence intensity was greatly increased by the addition of cadmium ions due to the formation of cadmium hydroxide on the surfaces of the cadmium selenide nanoparticles. Then, CdSe/Cd(OH)₂/SiO₂ nanocomposite particles were synthesized using 3-mercatopropyl trimethoxysilane by Stöber method. After the formation of CdSe/Cd(OH)₂/SiO₂ nanocomposite particles, the emission ability was mostly stabilized. Additionally, the stabilization of the composite particles against dilution with the physiological saline was checked. The results showed that the photoluminescence stability was promoted after the deposition of silica on the surfaces of the CdSe/Cd(OH)₂ nanoparticles. Comparison of the stability of CdSe/SiO₂ nanoparticles with that of CdSe/Cd(OH)₂/SiO₂ ones showed that Cd(OH)₂ shell could enhance the photoluminescence effectively.     

A characterization study of some aspects of the adsorption of aqueous Co2+ ions on a natural bentonite clay

The natural bentonite used in this study contained montmorillonite in addition to low cristobalite. The uptake of aqueous Co(2+) ions was investigated as a function of time, concentration, and temperature. In addition, the change in the interlayer space of montmorillonite was analyzed using XRPD, and the distribution of fixed Co(2+) ions on the heterogeneous clay surface was recorded using EDS mapping. The sorbed amount of Co(2+) appeared to closely follow Freundlich isotherm, with the sorption process showing apparent endothermic behavior. The relevance of the apparent DeltaH(o) values is briefly discussed. Analysis of the Co-sorbed bentonite samples using SEM/EDS showed that the montmorillonite fraction in the mineral was more effective in Co(2+) fixation than the cristobalite fraction. XRPD analysis demonstrated that the interlayer space of montmorillonite was slightly modified at the end of sorption.     

Preparation of Ni nanoparticles between montmorillonite layers utilizing dimethylaminoborane as reducing agent

Preparation of Ni nanoparticles between montmorillonite layers using dimethylaminoborane (DMAB) as a reducing agent is reported. The DMAB molecules are first intercalated into the interlayer space of Ni-montmorillonite (Ni-mont). Then, as a result of a heating process, the DMAB is decomposed to release electrons for the reduction of the Ni ions. From high-resolution TEM images, it is demonstrated that the deposited Ni nanoparticles with about 1-2 nm in size are formed uniformly over the entire area of the Ni-mont matrix. Considering the gallery height calculated by subtracting the silicate sheet thickness from the basal spacing (1.30 nm), the morphology of the formed Ni nanoparticles in the interlayer space is thought to be disc-like in shape with a thickness of 0.3-0.4 nm and an average lateral size of 1.2 nm.     

Interlayer expansion and mechanisms of anion sorption of Na-montmorillonite modified by cetylpyridinium chloride: a Monte Carlo study

To study the change of interlayer structure of a Wyoming-type Na-montmorillonite as a result of the replacement of interlayer Na+ ions by cetylpyridinium (CP+) ions, a series of NPT Monte Carlo simulations of the clay mineral with different contents of CP+, Na+, Cl- ions and water in its interlayer space is carried out. In agreement with conclusions from experimental studies, the simulations show that the CP+ ions form monomolecular, bimolecular, and pseudotrimolecular layers with increasing interlayer contents. Calculated potential energies reveal that clay-organic interactions are stronger than organic-organic interactions in CP+-modified montmorillonite, which is in conformity with observations of earlier thermogravimetric experiments. The simulation results indicate that the pseudotrimolecular arrangement of CP+ ions is a prerequisite for the experimentally observed interlayer sorption of inorganic anions. Furthermore, in the interlayer space with a pseudotrimolecular layer, chloride ions favor the formation of pairs with inorganic rather than organic cations. On the basis of these findings and available experimental data, we propose that the interlayer sorption of inorganic anions from the pore space of an organically modified montmorillonite may occur not only in pairs with organic cations, as suggested earlier, but also in pairs with inorganic cations, which represents a so-far unconsidered and maybe more important mechanism of anion sorption on clay minerals.     

TiO_2/蒙脱石层间化合物的制备及层间原位反应过程研究

基于蒙脱石层间域的二维纳米反应器属性,通过溶剂化作用,将氧化钛前躯体钛酸丁酯引入有机季铵盐阳离子插层的蒙脱石层间域中,并使其在蒙脱石层间域中水解、成核和相变结晶.采用XRD、原位升温Raman光谱、TEM分析手段研究了钛酸丁酯进入蒙脱石层间域过程,以及钛酸丁酯在蒙脱石层间域中水解和TiO2成核及相转变过程.结果表明钛酸...     

Modeling of Colloidal Crystallization of Cadmium Selenide

Colloid Journal - This article is devoted to the Monte Carlo simulation of the colloidal crystallization kinetics of cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles (NPs), i.e., the growth of nanoparticles...     

Metal nanoparticle formation on layer silicate lamellae

Nanoparticles (Ag, Pd) were prepared by heterogeneous nucleation on the interlayer space of layered montmorillonite and kaolinite minerals in aquatic dispersion. Interlamellar incorporation of nanoparticles was monitored by X-ray diffraction and verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After the reduction of adsorbed metal ions, a new Bragg reflection appeared, proving the formation of nanoparticles in the interlamellar space of clay mineral. Lamellar structure of layered silicates is partly destroyed by the particle formation. TEM images showed that larger nanoparticles were formed by UV irradiation and hydrazine hydrate than in the case of reduction by NaBH₄. Aqueous solutions of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and clay minerals were used for the stabilization of Pd° nanoparticles. The size of particles generated on the surface of clay minerals by heterogeneous nucleation increased with increasing metal concentration. When polymer is added to this system, particle size can be decreased by increasing polymer concentration. In this case, the particles are stabilized by the concerted action of the support and the macromolecule. The polymers promoted intercalation of nanoparticles into the clay mineral. In the absence of nanoparticles, the intercalation of polymers was significantly less extensive.     

Synthesis and characterization of low dimensional ZnS- and PbS-semiconductor particles on a montmorillonite template

Low dimensional metal sulfide particles have been prepared in the interlayers of montmorillonites via reactions of the metal ion-exchanged clay minerals in aqueous dispersions with gaseous hydrogen sulfide. The montmorillonites separated from the Wyoming (USA) and Jel?ovy Potok (Slovakia) bentonites were saturated with Pb(2+) or Zn(2+). In the final nanohybrids, the smectite mineral can be incorporated with metal sulfide pillars and/or nanoparticles. Properties of the prepared materials were investigated by various analytical techniques. The formation of metal sulfide nanoparticles in the interlayer galleries was indicated by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. About 50% of Pb(2+) or Zn(2+) present in montmorillonite has formed metal sulfide semiconducting units. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used for characterization of starting materials and products. Ultraviolet-visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies confirmed that final composite systems acquired the optical properties of the incorporated quantum low dimensional systems exhibiting blue shift of the energy gap and higher oscillator strength excitonic peaks. Larger amounts of metal sulfide nanoparticles were formed in montmorillonite Jel?ovy Potok probably as a consequence of its higher cation exchange capacity.     

The use of 4-substituted pyridines to afford amphiphilic,pegylated cadmium selenide nanoparticles

Amphiphilic cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles were prepared by surface functionalization with novel ligands 1 and 2, composed of pyridine moieties substituted in the 4-position with polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains.     

Photochemical fine-tuning of luminescent color of cadmium selenide nanoparticles: fabricating a single-source multicolor luminophore

Size-selective photoetching was applied to silica-coated cadmium selenide (SiO2/CdSe) nanoparticles to precisely control their photoluminescence properties. The absorption spectra of CdSe was blue-shifted by irradiation of monochromatic light, and finally, the absorption onset agreed with the wavelength of irradiation light, indicating that CdSe particles were photoetched to smaller ones until the irradiated photons were not absorbed by the photoetched particles and that the SiO2 shell layer surrounding the CdSe core prevented coalescence between the photoetched particles. Although as-prepared SiO2/CdSe did not exhibit photoluminescence, the application of size-selective photoetching to SiO2/CdSe resulted in the development of the band gap emission, with the degree being enhanced with progress of the photoetching. The peak wavelength of photoluminescence decreased with a decrease in the wavelength used for the photoetching, so that the luminescence color could be tuned between red and blue. Partial photoetching of SiO2/CdSe nanoparticle films produced intense band gap emission of CdSe at the photoetched area, while the remainder of the SiO2/CdSe films did not exhibit detectable photoluminescence, resulting in the formation of a clear photoluminescence image under UV irradiation. This technique makes it possible to produce a multicolored photoluminescence image by irradiation with monochromatic lights having various wavelengths using a single source material.     

原位反应法制备镍三乙烯四胺配合物/蒙脱土纳米复合体

将蒙脱土的硅酸盐晶层空间作为微反应场所,用微波加热先将钠基蒙脱土转化为镍基蒙脱土,再引入三乙烯四胺配体,使配体与镍离子在蒙脱土层间原位发生配位反应,制得配合物/蒙脱土纳米复合体.XRD结果表明蒙脱土的层间距在引入三乙烯四胺后明显变大.紫外可见漫反射光谱、热分析和元素分析结果表明三乙烯四胺与N i2+离子在蒙脱土层间形成了配合物.     

静电自组装聚电解质/有机染料插层蒙脱土光致变色纳米复合膜

从构筑静电自组装聚电解质／有机染料插层蒙脱土光致变色纳米复合膜所必需 的基本纳米构件--有机染料插层蒙脱土光致变色纳米复合物的设计出发，制备了具有光致 变色功能的蒙脱土／阳离子偶氮染料（GTL）均插层纳米复合物现，插人蒙脱土层 间的GTL热稳定性大幅度提高．由于GTL在纳米受限空间的超分子有序结构共轭，使 偶氮基发生了高达91 nm的显著红移．使用该插层纳米复合物构件与阳离子聚电解 质（PDAC）通过静电自组装得到了生长均匀、排列规整有序的光致变色聚电解质／ 阳离子偶氮染料插层蒙脱土纳米复合膜.     

Stamping transfer of a quantum dot interlayer for organic photovoltaic cells

An organophilic cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dot (QD) interlayer was prepared on the active layer in organic solar cells by a stamping transfer method. The mother substrate composed of a UV-cured film on a polycarbonate film with strong solvent resistance makes it possible to spin-coat QDs on it and dry transfer onto an active layer without damaging the active layer. The QD interlayers have been optimized by controlling the concentration of the QD solution. The coverage of QD particles on the active layer was verified by TEM analysis and fluorescence images. After insertion of the QD interlayer between the active layer and metal cathode, the photovoltaic performances of the organic solar cell were clearly enhanced. By ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of CdSe QDs, it can be anticipated that the CdSe QD interlayer reduces charge recombination by blocking the holes moving to the cathode from the active layer and facilitating efficient collection of the electrons from the active layer to the cathode.     

Intercalation of Polyaniline in Montmorillonite and Zeolite

The anilinium ion was encapsulated into the interlayer space of montmorillonite and the intrachannel space of NaY zeolite by the ion exchange method. After addition of ammonium peroxodisulfate, the loaded anilinium ions were polymerized to polyaniline (PAN). The structures of PAN in NaM and CsM are compared with that in NaY by means of UV-Vis, FTIR and EPR spectroscopies. The structures of PAN in NaY zeolite and montmorillonite hosts were shown to have the typical spectral features of emeraldine base and emeraldine salt respectively. Intercalation of polyaniline in montmorillonite was confirmed by the variation of the basal spacing, the resonances in EPR and the reduction of bulk conductivity.     

Interactions of 2,5- and 3,5-dimethylphenols with co-exchanged montmorillonite

The influence of different steric and electronic properties of 2,5- and 3,5-dimethylphenols (2,5 and 3,5-DMP) on the type of interactions with Cobalt-exchanged montmorillonite (Co-MMT) was studied. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR-spectroscopy and thermal (TG, DTG) analysis show that phenol derivatives are intercalated into the interlayer space of montmorillonite. Thermal decomposition in the temperature interval 20–700 °C of Co-MMT with 3,5-DMP proceeds in four steps while Co-MMT with 2,5-DMP decompose only in three steps. These differences are connected with different acid–base interactions of individual phenol derivatives in the interlayer space of montmorillonite, which is in agreement with the results of IR-spectroscopy.     

Composites comprising CdS nanoparticles and poly(ethylene oxide): optical properties and influence of the nanofiller content on the thermal behaviour of the host matrix

Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide-capped CdS nanoparticles were synthesized with the cadmium(II) complex of thiocarbohydrazide as a precursor. Nanocomposites were prepared by mixing a toluene solution of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and the obtained CdS nanoparticles. The ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements showed a blue shift of the onset of optical absorption, compared to bulk CdS, which confirmed the presence of nanostructured CdS. A transmission electron microscopy micrograph of the nanocomposite depicted that the nanoparticles are well dispersed in the PEO matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed hindered crystallization of PEO in the presence of CdS nanoparticles. It was also found that increasing the nanoparticle content led to the shift of the onset of decomposition of the matrix towards higher temperature.     

Effect of surfactant agent upon the structure of montmorillonite

The modification of sodium montmorillonite (MMT) through the incorporation of amphiphilic octadecylammonium cations in various concentrations (10–200% CEC) into the clay’s interlayer spaces has been studied. High resolution thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal decomposition of modified montmorillonite occurs in three steps. The first step of mass loss is related to dehydration of adsorbed water and water hydrating metal cations such as Na⁺. The second step of mass loss is attributed to the decomposition of surfactant. The third step is due to the loss of OH units during the dehydroxylation of the montmorillonite. The conformation of the surfactant cations in the confined space of the silicate galleries is investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. These analyses are very important for any attempt to incorporate the organomodified MMT particles into different media for various applications such as polymer nanocomposite preparation.     

Catalytic activation of layered silicates for the synthesis of nanocomposite materials based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

The effects of the structure of organomodified montmorillonite and the conditions of its catalytic activation by titanium and vanadium chlorides on the synthesis of nanocomposite materials based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with an exfoliated structure by an in situ polymerization method were studied. It was shown that, with the use of organomodified montmorillonite with the interplanar spacing d₀₀₁ = 1.6–1.8 nm, in which the alkyl radicals of a modifier are arranged in parallel to the basal silicate surfaces, the catalyst is adsorbed only on the external surface of particle, and it does not penetrate into the interlayer space (in this case, the exfoliation of a filler does not occur). With the use of montmorillonite samples with d₀₀₁ > 2 nm with the packing of a modifier as paraffin-like mono- or bilayers, the catalyst is predominantly intercalated into the interlayer space of the layer silicate. As a result, in the course of polymerization, polyethylene is formed in the interlayer space of particles to facilitate the exfoliation of the filler in separate nanolayers. Conditions for the supporting of a catalyst onto organomodified montmorillonite, which prevent the transfer of the catalyst into solvent and the formation of a free polymer on the synthesis of nanocomposites under the conditions of suspension polymerization in n-heptane, were determined. The intercalation of a catalyst into the interlayer space of the particles of layered silicates and the exfoliation of filler particles in the course of the synthesis of composites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.