Complexity of intercalation of hydrazine into kaolinite--a controlled rate thermal analysis and DRIFT spectroscopic study

Controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) allows the separation of adsorbed and intercalated hydrazine. CRTA displays the presence of three different types of hydrogen-bonded hydrazine in the intercalation complex: (a) The first is adsorbed loosely bonded on the kaolinite structure fully expanded by hydrazine-hydrate and liberated between approx 50 and 70 degrees C (b) The second intercalated hydrazine is lost between approx 70 and 85 degrees C. (c) The third type of intercalated-hydrazine molecule is lost in the 85-130 degrees C range. CRTA at 70 degrees C enables the removal of hydrazine-water and results in the partial collapse of the hydrazine-intercalated kaolinite structure to form a hydrazine-intercalated kaolinite. Removal of the adsorbed hydrazine enables the DRIFT spectra of the hydrazine-intercalated complex without any adsorbed hydrazine to be obtained. A band at 3626 cm(-1) attributed to the inner surface hydroxyls of kaolinite hydrogen bonded to hydrazine is observed. The intercalation of hydrazine-hydrate into kaolinite is complex and results from the different types of surface interactions of the hydrazine with the kaolinite surfaces.     

Effect of structural stress on the intercalation rate of kaolinite

Particle size in kaolinite intercalation showed an inverse reactivity trend compared with most chemical reactions: finer particles had lower reactivity and some of the fine particles cannot be intercalated. Although this phenomenon was noted in the early 1960s and several hypotheses have been reported, there is no widely accepted theory about the unusual particle size response in the intercalation. We propose that structural stress is a controlling factor in the intercalation and the stress contributes to the higher reactivity of the coarser particles. In this study, we checked the structural deformation spectroscopically and indirectly proved the structural stress hypothesis. A Georgia kaolinite was separated into nine size fractions and their intercalations by hydrazine monohydrate and potassium acetate were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The apical Si-O band of kaolinite at 1115 cm(-1) shifted to 1124 cm(-1) when the mineral was intercalated to 1.03 nm by hydrazine monohydrate, and its strong pleochroic properties became much weaker. Similar reduction in pleochroism was observed on the surface OH bands of kaolinite after intercalation. Both the bending vibrations of the inner OH group at 914 cm(-1) and of the surface OH group at 937 cm(-1) shifted to 903 cm(-1) after intercalation by hydrazine. A new band for the inner OH group appeared at 3611 cm(-1) during the deintercalation of the 1.03 nm hydrazine kaolinite complex. Pleochroism change in the apical Si-O band suggested the tetrahedra had increased tilt with respect to the (001) plane. The tilt of the Si-O apical bond could occur only if the octahedra had also undergone structural rearrangement during intercalation. These changes in the octahedral and tetrahedral sheets represent some change in the manner of compensation for the structural misfit of the tetrahedral sheet and octahedral sheet. As the lateral dimensions of a kaolinite particle increases, the cumulative degree of misfit increases. Intercalation breaks the hydrogen bonds between layers and allows for the structure to reduce the accumulated stress in some other manner. The reversed size effect on intercalation probably was not caused by crystallinity differences as reported in the literature, because the Hinckley and Lietard crystallinity indices of the four clay fractions were very close to each other. Impurities, such as dickite- or nacrite-like phases are not significant in the studied sample as suggested by the XRD and IR results, they are not the main reasons for the lower reactivity of the finer particles.     

Deintercalation of hydrazine-intercalated kaolinite in dry and moist air

The deintercalation of hydrazine-intercalated kaolinite has been followed using a combination of X-ray diffraction and diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Upon intercalation of the kaolinite with hydrazine, the kaolinite layers are expanded to 10.66 A and remain expanded for up to 22 h upon exposure to moist air. Only upon deintercalation are the peak at 10.39 A and a minor peak at 9.6 A observed. Complete deintercalation takes up to 18 days more. Upon intercalation with hydrazine an intense band is observed at 3628 cm(-1) and is attributed to the inner-surface hydroxyls hydrogen bonded to the hydrazine, which upon deintercalation decreased in intensity. This rate of deintercalation is affected by the presence or absence of moist air. Deintercalation in the presence of water vapor results in the observation of two additional bands at 3550 and 3598 cm(-1), which are attributed to the hydroxyl stretching modes of adsorbed water during deintercalation. The intensity of NH stretching vibrations observed at 3360, 3300, and 3200 cm(-1) also decrease in intensity with deintercalation time. Changes in the hydroxyl deformation modes of kaolinite in the 915 cm(-1) region and in the HNH deformation modes show strong interactions between the kaolinite surface and the inserting hydrazine molecule.     

Hydrazine bisalane is a potential compound for chemical hydrogen storage. A theoretical study

Electronic structure calculations suggest that hydrazine bisalane (AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2)AlH(3), alhyzal) is a promising compound for chemical hydrogen storage (CHS). Calculations are carried out using the coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. Potential energy surfaces are constructed to probe the formation of, and hydrogen release from, hydrazine bisalane which is initially formed from the reaction of hydrazine with dialane. Molecular and electronic characteristics of both gauche and trans alhyzal are determined for the first time. The gauche hydrazine bisalane is formed from starting reactants hydrazine + dialane following a movement of an AlH(3) group from AlH(3)AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2) rather than by a direct attachment of a separate AlH(3) group, generated by predissociation of dialane, to AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2). The energy barriers for dehydrogenation processes from gauche and transalhyzal are in the range of 21-28 kcal mol(-1), which are substantially smaller than those of ca. 40 kcal mol(-1) previously determined for the isovalent hydrazine bisborane (bhyzb) system. H(2) release from hydrazine bisalane is thus more favored over that from hydrazine bisborane, making the Al derivative an alternative candidate for CHS.     

Effect of water on the formamide-intercalation of kaolinite

The molecular structures of low defect kaolinite completely intercalated with formamide and formamide-water mixtures have been determined using a combination of X-ray diffraction, thermoanalytical techniques, DRIFT and Raman spectroscopy. Expansion of the kaolinite to 10.09 A was observed with subtle differences whether the kaolinite was expanded with formamide or formamide-water mixtures. Thermal analysis showed that greater amounts of formamide could be intercalated into the kaolinite in the presence of water. New infrared bands were observed for the formamide intercalated kaolinites at 3648, 3630 and 3606 cm(-1). These bands are attributed to the hydroxyl stretching frequencies of the inner surface hydroxyls hydrogen bonded to formamide with water, formamide and interlamellar water. Bands were observed at similar positions in the Raman spectrum. At liquid nitrogen temperature, the 3630 cm(-1) Raman band separated into two bands at 3633 and 3625 cm(-1). DRIFT spectra showed the hydroxyl deformation mode at 905 cm(-1). Changes in the molecular structure of the formamide are observed through both the NH stretching vibrations and the amide 1 and 2 bands. Upon intercalation of kaolinite with formamide, bands are observed at 3460, 3344, 3248 and 3167 cm(-1) attributed to the NH stretching vibration of the NH involved with hydrogen bonded to the oxygens of the kaolinite siloxane surface. In the DRIFT spectra of the formamide intercalated kaolinites bands are observed at 1700 and 1671 cm(-1) and are attributed to the amide 1 and amide 2 vibrations.     

Raman spectroscopy of urea and urea-intercalated kaolinites at 77 K

The Raman spectra of urea and urea-intercalated kaolinites have been recorded at 77 K using a Renishaw Raman microprobe equipped with liquid nitrogen cooled microscope stage. The NH2 stretching modes of urea were observed as four bands at 3250, 3321, 3355 and 3425 cm(-1) at 77 K. These four bands are attributed to a change in conformation upon cooling to liquid nitrogen temperature. Upon intercalation of urea into both low and high defect kaolinites, only two bands were observed near 3390 and 3410 cm(-1). This is explained by hydrogen bonding between the amine groups of urea and oxygen atoms of the siloxane layer of kaolinite with only one urea conformation. When the intercalated low defect kaolinite was cooled to 77 K, the bands near 3700 cm(-1) attributed to the stretching modes of the inner surface hydroxyls disappeared and a new band was observed at 3615 cm(-1). This is explained by the breaking of hydrogen bonds involving OH groups of the gibbsite-like layer and formation of new bonds to the C=O group of the intercalated urea. Thus it is suggested that at low temperatures two kinds of hydrogen bonds are formed by urea molecules in urea-intercalated kaolinite.     

One-step exfoliation of kaolinites and their transformation into nanoscrolls

Kaolinite nanoscrolls, rolled kaolinite sheets with a tubular form, were prepared by a one-step route in which intercalation of guest species and swelling with solvent proceed at the same time. A methoxy-modified kaolinite was exfoliated by the intercalation of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride. The formation of nanoscrolls by the one-step route proceeded only by several alkyltrimethylammonium salts and 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. Intercalation of primary amines caused the formation of nanoscrolls by a two-step route in which the intercalation and swelling proceed separately. The successful one-step route is ascribed to the relatively weak interactions between the head groups of guest species and the interlayer surface of methoxy-modified kaolinite, and the interaction is thought to allow the formation of a flexible array of interlayer guest species for swelling. The tubular structure was mostly retained after the heat treatment at 600 °C to form hierarchically porous aluminosilicates with amorphous frameworks. The nanoscrolls intercalated organic guests species, which are not directly intercalated into methoxy-modified kaolinite, between the scrolled layers. The formation route to nanoscrolls is quite dependent not only on the surface modification of kaolinite but also on the structure of guest species.     

Intercalation of cyclic imides in kaolinite

The intercalation of two cyclic imides, succinimide and glutarimide, in the interlayer spaces of kaolinite was obtained from a "soft guest-displacement method" by displacing previously intercalated guest molecules. The dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-kaolinite preintercalate was particularly efficient for that purpose. The intercalation exchange was done from a concentrated aqueous solution of the cyclic imides, at ambient temperature, in a relatively short time. Complete displacement of DMSO by the cyclic imides was confirmed by the results of several independent characterizations, including XRD, TG/DTA, FTIR, and (13)C MAS NMR analyses including dipolar dephasing experiments. The imide intercalates are two dimensionally constrained in the kaolinite interlayer spaces, and are structurally organized in a flattened configuration with their cycle roughly parallel to the ab plane of the kaolinite layers. Elemental analysis gives the following compositions: Al(2)Si(2)O(5)(OH)(4)(C(4)H(5)NO(2))(0.65) and Al(2)Si(2)O(5)(OH)(4)(C(5)H(7)NO(2))(0.49), respectively for succinimide and glutarimide. The results of the TG/DTA analyses showed enhanced thermal stabilities of the imide intercalates compared with the starting materials. The intercalation process from the aqueous solution is reversible: in prolonged contact with water, the imide molecules are released, resulting in the rebuilding of the kaolinite structure. These results demonstrate the potential use of kaolinite as a slow-releasing agent for molecules structurally related to the cyclic imides of this study.     

An FTIR investigation of hexadecyltrimethylammonium intercalation into rectorite

Rectorite is an interstratified clay mineral made at 1:1 ratio of an orderly arrangement of a nonswelling component illite and a swelling component smectite. Due to the presence of two distinct types of components, it is of great interest to study the adsorption of long chain alkylammonium in rectorite. In this study, we conducted batch experiments and used X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to characterize the interlayer configuration of intercalated long chain hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) in rectorite. The FTIR results showed that a monomer-like intercalation with extensive gauche conformers was formed at surfactant loading less than the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the mineral. At a higher surfactant loading the CH2--symmetric and anti-symmetric vibrations shifted to lower frequencies, suggesting a more ordered all-trans surfactant interlayer configuration. The thermogravimetric and derivative of thermogravimetric analayses showed a high pyrolysis temperature for the monomer-like gauche conformers and lower pyrolysis temperature for the all-trans configuration of the intercalated HDTMA. The XRD analysis confirmed the monomer-like conformation with a d-spacing of 25.2 angstroms at the low surfactant intercalation and a vertical all-trans configuration with a d-spacing of 49.5 angstroms at an HDTMA intercalation of 3.20 CEC. In addition to conformation analyses of intercalated surfactant in the interlayer using FTIR, the absorbance measured by peak height at 1470, 2850, and 2917 cm(-1) increased linearly with surfactant loading, providing a faster, yet efficient method to quantify the amount of surfactant adsorbed.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of formamide-intercalated kaolinites

The vibrational spectroscopy of low and high defect kaolinites fully and partially intercalated with formamide have been determined using a combination of X-ray diffraction, DRIFT and Raman spectroscopy. Expansion of the high defect kaolinite to 10.09 A resulted in a decrease in the peak width of the d(001) peak attributed to a decrease in defect structures upon intercalation. Changes in the defect structures of the low defect kaolinite were observed. Additional infrared bands were observed for the formamide intercalated kaolinites at 3629 and 3606 cm(-1). The 3629 cm(-1) band is attributed to the hydroxyl stretching frequency of the inner surface hydroxyl group hydrogen bonded to the carboxyl group of the formamide. The 3606 cm(-1) band is ascribed to water in the interlayer. Concomitant changes are observed in both the hydroxyl deformation modes and in the carboxyl bands.     

层状(脯氨酸-N-甲基膦酸-磷酸氢)锆的合成及插层性能研究

以高结晶度制备了层状(脯氨酸-N-甲基膦酸-磷酸氢)锆(α-ZPMPP)晶体(层间距为1.52nm),并研究了其常温下对正丁胺的插层性能,用元素分析、IR、XRD和TG-DSC热分析对α-ZPMPP及其插层复合物进行了表征.结果表明,层状α-ZPMPP具有形成超分子主-客体化合物的插层性能,正丁胺客体分子在主体底物中形成单分子层,并插入α-ZPMPP中,使层间距增大0.45nm,插入的正丁胺可在150～250℃被脱除.     

Intercalation of Benzamide into Kaolinite

Well-crystallized kaolinite (K) was initially reacted at 60 degrees C with a water/dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixture and the resulting intercalation derivative (K-DMSO) was characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), thermal analysis (simultaneous TG and DSC), and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Benzamide crystals were then melted with the K-DMSO derivative at 140 degrees C for 4 days, when a gradual displacement of DMSO by benzamide was observed within the interlayer spacing of the modified kaolinite. The resulting material, after extensive washing with acetone, was characterized and compared to the results obtained previously for the K-DMSO composite. Benzamide intercalation proceeded by gradual displacement of DMSO molecules until completion. The structural stabilization of the K-BZ derivative was explained through the establishment of hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the intercalated benzamide and aluminol groups present at the surface of the kaolinite layer. The interlamellar spacing of K-BZ was shown to be possibly occupied by benzamide molecules that were located at a 68 degrees orientation in relation to the layer surface. Unlike most intercalation molecules such as DMSO, variations in the interplanar spacing of kaolinite were consistent with the nonkeying of any other part of the molecule between the aluminosilicate interlayers. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

高岭石插层效率评价

用基于X射线衍射分析(XRD)的插层率、基于热重分析(TGA)的热失重率和基于红外光谱分析(FTIR)的3 600 cm^-1谱带与3 700 cm^-1谱带强度比值对高岭石/二甲基亚砜(DMSO)插层复合物和高岭石/N-甲基甲酰胺(NMF)插层复合物的插层效率进行了综合评价。结果表明,当插层反应进行到1、6和25 d,高岭石/DMSO的插层率分别为5%、52%和89%;而高岭石/NMF的插层率则分别为93%、94%和95%。与此同时,高岭石/DMSO的热失重率分别为1.06%、8.06%和17.46%;而高岭石/NMF的失重率分别为6%、6.5%和14.2%。在红外光谱图中,高岭石/DMSO复合物的3 600与3 700 cm^-1带强度比分别为1.03,1.141和1.628,而高岭石/NMF复合物分别为1.403,1.433和1.612。3种评价方法显示很好的一致性,相对而言,在插层作用的初期,XRD方法比较灵敏,而在插层作用的后期,TGA和FTIR方法则显得更为灵敏和有效。     

Mechanism of dehydroxylation temperature decrease and high temperature phase transition of coal-bearing strata kaolinite intercalated by potassium acetate

The thermal decomposition and dehydroxylation process of coal-bearing strata kaolinite-potassium acetate intercalation complex (CSKK) has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermal analysis, mass spectrometric analysis and infrared emission spectroscopy. The XRD results showed that the potassium acetate (KAc) have been successfully intercalated into coal-bearing strata kaolinite with an obvious basal distance increase of the first basal peak, and the positive correlation was found between the concentration of intercalation regent KAc and the degree of intercalation. As the temperature of the system is raised, the formation of KHCO(3), KCO(3) and KAlSiO(4), which is derived from the thermal decomposition or phase transition of CSKK, is observed in sequence. The IR results showed that new bands appeared, the position and intensities shift can also be found when the concentration of intercalation agent is raised. The thermal analysis and mass spectrometric analysis results revealed that CSKK is stable below 300°C, and the thermal decomposition products (H(2)O and CO(2)) were further proved by the mass spectrometric analysis. A comparison of thermal analysis results of original coal-bearing strata kaolinite and its intercalation complex gives new discovery that not only a new mass loss peak is observed at 285 °C, but also the temperature of dehydroxylation and dehydration of coal bearing strata kaolinite is decreased about 100 °C. This is explained on the basis of the interlayer space of the kaolinite increased obviously after being intercalated by KAc, which led to the interlayer hydrogen bonds weakened, enables the dehydroxylation from kaolinite surface more easily. Furthermore, the possible structural model for CSKK has been proposed, with further analysis required in order to prove the most possible structures.     

聚氧化乙烯/高岭石聚合物电解质的制备与表征

通过尿素对高岭石的插层及随后的超声脱除处理,制备了一种片层剥离的高岭石粉体,并将这种剥离高岭石与聚氧化乙烯/高氯酸锂(PEO/LiClO_4)体系复合,制备出PEO/高岭石复合物.采用X射线衍射仪、红外光谱仪、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、扫描量热仪、电化学工作站和万能材料试验机进行结构表征和性能测试.结果表明,尿素在高岭石层间的插层和脱除引起了高岭石片层的剥离,片层厚度小于50 nm.剥离高岭石在PEO/LiClO_4体系中与PEO形成了强烈的氢键作用,促进了PEO结晶度的降低,进而提高复合物的离子电导率.含有20 wt%剥离高岭石填料的PEO/高岭石复合物的离子电导率达到6.0×10~(-5) S/cm,与未复合的PEO/LiClO_4相比,提高了一个数量级.复合物制备过程中的烘干温度对PEO的结晶度会产生一定的影响,95°C下的烘干处理能得到结晶度较低,离子电导率较高的复合物.此外,剥离高岭石的添加显著提高了聚合物的杨氏模量和拉伸强度,与未复合的PEO/LiClO_4相比,杨氏模量和拉伸强度最大提高了256%和121%.     

Effect of reaction temperature on intercalation of octyltrimethylammonium chloride into kaolinite

The structural property, thermal behavior, and morphology of octyltrimethylammonium chloride–kaolinite complexes prepared at different reaction temperatures were studied by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscope. The present study demonstrated that the arrangement model of octyltrimethylammonium cations (OTAC⁺) within the kaolinite interlayer space was independent of reaction temperature. The alkyl chains adopted a similar rigid paraffin-bilayer arrangement with different tilted angles. Although the intercalation led to an increased number of gauche conformers, the number of nonlinear conformers remained constant with increasing temperature. With increasing temperature, the number of trans conformers continuously augmented and resulted in decreased gauche/trans ratio. Therefore, the molecular environment remained solid like. Simultaneously, the surfactant packing density gradually increased, along with the decreasing water content in the organoclays. This effect improved thermal stability and hydrophobicity. The thermal decomposition processes of the kaolinite–OTAC⁺ complex can be divided into four steps. Furthermore, SEM images showed that the morphology of these complexes was strongly dependent on the given temperature. In general, increasing the temperature within the limited given temperature (≤70 °C) promoted the transformation from platy layers to nanoscrolls. Most of the transformed nanoscrolls were acquired in the products prepared at 70 °C, and further increasing in temperature decreased the nanoscrolls yield. Nevertheless, the packing density increased in the process, thereby demonstrating that the packing density not only promoted nanoscrolls transformation but also prevented the progress.

     

Thermal Intercalation of Alkali Halides into Kaolinite

Solid state intercalation of alkali halides into kaolinite takes place by heating pressed disks of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-kaolinite complex ground in different alkali halides. This reaction involves diffusion of the DMSO outside the interlayer space and the alkali halide into the interlayer space. IR and Raman spectroscopy reveal two types of intercalation complexes: (i) almost non-hydrous, obtained during thermal treatment of the DMSO complex; and (ii) hydrated, obtained by regrinding the disk in air. The strength of the hydrogen bonds between intercalated water or halide anions and the inner surface hydroxyls decreases in the order Cl⁻>Br⁻>I⁻. Chlorides penetrate the ditrigonal holes and form hydrogen bonds with the inner OH groups. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A DRIFT spectroscopic study of potassium acetate intercalated mechanochemically activated kaolinite

Kaolinite has been mechanochemically activated by dry grinding for periods of time up to 10 h. The kaolinite was then intercalated with potassium acetate and the changes in the structure followed by DRIFT spectroscopy. Intercalation of the kaolinite with potassium acetate is difficult and only the layers, which remain hydrogen bonded, are intercalated. The mechanochemical activation of the kaolinite may be followed by the loss of intensity of the hydroxyl-stretching vibrations. The intensity of the 3695 and 3619 cm(-1) bands reach a minimum after 10 h of grinding. The observation of a band at 3602 cm(-1) is indicative of the intercalation of the kaolinite with potassium acetate. The degree of intercalation decreases with mechanochemical treatment. The effect of exposure of the intercalated mechanochemically activated kaolinite to moist air results in de-intercalation. The effect of the mechanochemical treatment is loss of layer stacking, which prevents the intercalation of the kaolinite.     

Thermal Behaviour of Kaolinite Intercalated with Formamide, Dimethyl Sulphoxide and Hydrazine

The thermal behaviour of kaolinites intercalated with formamide, dimethyl sulphoxide and hydrazine has been studied by simultaneous TG-DTG-DTA-EGA and TG-MS techniques. The complexes can be decomposed completely without dehydroxylating the mineral. It was found that the amount of intercalated guest molecules per inner surface OH-group is close to unity for the formamide and dimethyl sulphoxide intercalates. For the intercalation of hydrazine it was found that hydrazine is locked in the expanded mineral as hydrazine hydrate and its amount is somewhat higher than that obtained for the other two reagents. The thermal evolution patterns of the guest molecules revealed that all the three reagents are bonded at least in two different ways in the interlayer space. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A study on the intercalation and exfoliation of illite

Illite particles were exfoliated from the illite-organics intercalation precursor in the ultrasound process. Four intercalating agents (glycerol, hydrazine hydrate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and urea) were selected to study the intercalation reaction for purified illite, thermal activated illite, and acidified illite and to prepare different illite-organics intercalation complexes. The resulting intercalation complexes and exfoliated illite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the zeta potential test, the particle size test and thermogravimetry analysis (TG). XRD results showed that the thermal activation and subsequent acidification treatment to exchange K⁺ in the interlayer of illite with H⁺ is a necessary condition for organic intercalation. FTIR and TG analysis confirmed the intercalation of four intercalating agents into the interlayer of illite. During the high-temperature ultrasonic treatment, the organic molecules were deintercalated from the interlayers of illite-organics intercalation complexes, leading to the separation of the illite layers. The d₀₀₁ diffraction of illite in XRD patterns became broad and weak after ultrasonic treatment; this indicated the random orientation of illite platelets. Particle size analysis showed the exfoliated illite (IUE) from the illite-urea intercalation complex possessed the smaller particle diameter. SEM and TEM observation showed the particle size of IUE is 0.5–4 μm with a layer thickness of approximately 200–300 nm. Moreover, the exfoliation of illite layers exposed more internal layers with negative charge, leading to the decrease of zeta potential.