Study of cetyltrimethylammonium and cetylpyridinium adsorption on montmorillonite

Adsorption of cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA) and cetylpyridinium (CP) onto Na-rich montmorillonite (MMT) was studied. For this purpose, the adsorption isotherms of CTA and CP, along with desorption curves of metal cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), were obtained by means of capillary isotachophoresis and atomic absorption spectrometry. Infrared, X-ray diffraction pattern, specific surface area, porosity, and moisture adsorption measurements of montmorillonite revealed that CTA and CP were adsorbed in monolayer arrangements. CTA is assumed to be attached to the negatively charged MMT surface mainly by electrostatic forces. On the other hand, CP, adsorbed in higher amounts, can be additionally bound via other interactions of pyridinium rings, such as induced and π–ππ–π interactions. By the surfactant adsorption, the montmorillonite surface became hydrophobic and its micro- and mesopores were significantly diminished. Using scanning electron microscopy, aggregation of such organically modified MMT particles was observed.

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