Thermal stability of montmorillonite polyacrylamide and polyacrylate nanocomposites and adsorption of Fe(III) ions

Poly(sodium acrylate), polyacrylamide and their copolymers were introduced into the interlayer spaces of raw montmorillonite (Mt) by in-situ polymerization. The obtained clay polymer nanocomposites (CPN) retained the layered structure. The polymers were intercalated at an intended polymer-to-clay mass ratio of 1:1. Differences in the mechanism of decomposition of samples depended on the type of polymer functional groups. The CPN were tested as adsorbents of Fe3 + ions. The highest adsorption capacity was achieved for samples containing poly(sodium acrylate), which was due to their high swelling capacity and the attraction of iron ions by carboxyl groups.

► Clay mineral/poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) hydrogel nanocomposites were studied.
► A relatively high amount of raw montmorillonite was introduced to the CPN.
► Effect of polymer composition on the thermal stability of CPN was observed.
► Swelling and adsorption capacity was determined by the hydrogel type.
► High adsorption efficiency in Fe(III) removal was achieved for the studied CPN.