Retention of gases by hexadecyltrimethylammonium–montmorillonite clays

Intercalated montmorillonite clays with different amounts of organic hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) cations were studied to analyse their CO, CH4, and SO2 gas retentions. Equilibrium adsorption was measured by using a standard volumetric apparatus at 25 °C and 0.1 MPa. The solids were characterised by X-ray diffraction. The levels of adsorption of SO2 by organo-montmorillonites (0.3595–1.6403 mmol/g) were higher than those of CO (up to 0.0202 mmol/g) and CH4 (up to 0.0273 mmol/g) gases. HDTMA montmorillonites may be effective adsorbents for removing SO2 and for its potential separation in the presence of CO and/or CH4 molecules, which can be present in contaminated air.