Interlamellar silylation of magadiite by octyl triethoxysilane in the presence of dodecylamine

Magadiite was modified by interlamellar silylation with octyl triethoxysilane (OTES) in the presence of dodecylamine (DDA) in ethanol without a pre-swelling step. Dodecylamine expanded the interlayer space and acted as silylation catalyst. The well ordered silylated magadiite had basal spacings between 1.18 and 1.38 nm. Solid-state 29Si MAS NMR showed Q3 and Q4 signals as well as T2 and T3 signals. The increase in the relative intensity of Q4 for Q3 and the appearance of T2 and T3 signals were attributed to the grafting of OTES to the interlayer surface silanol groups. The described method provides a promising route for the preparation of functional nanomaterials.