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.