Alkyl ammonium intercalation of Mozambican bentonite

Organo-bentonites containing quaternary ammonium surfactants were prepared using purified bentonite from the Boane deposit in Mozambique. The intercalation was effected by intimate mixing of the surfactants into a concentrated dispersion of soda ash activated bentonite. TG indicated organic contents that exceeded CEC expectations by up to 21 mass %. XRD results were consistent with: (i) paraffin-type extended chain intercalation at tilt angles of 27° to 33°; and (ii) interdigitated monolayer intercalation of the C14 single alkyl chain surfactant and bilayer intercalation of the C16 double alkyl chains and its 1:1 mixture with the single chain surfactant. However, FTIR analysis revealed disordered alkyl chain conformations. White oil dispersions containing 10 mass % organo-bentonite (inorganic basis) featured high viscosities. They showed strong shear thinning behaviour confirming the ability of the montmorillonite particles to exfoliate.