Modification of bentonite with diphosphonium salts: Synthesis and characterization

Intercalations of diphosphonium salts (bis(triphenylphosphonium methylene) benzene-dichloride (TPhPMB) and bis(tributylphosphonium methylene) benzene-dichloride (TBuPMB)) into bentonite were carried out through the ion-exchange of a purified bentonite with a solution of diphosphonium salt. X-ray diffraction (XRD), 31P MAS NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to assess the effect of product exchange on bentonite surface and the exfoliation phenomenon of bentonite interlayer. Experimental results demonstrated that the purified bentonite has a basal spacing of 13.2 Å while the modified bentonites show a greater basal spacing of about 18 Å and has a good thermal stability (300–400 °C).