The effect of microwave on preparation of kaolinite/dimethylsulfoxide composite during intercalation process

Abstract: Since there are hydrogen bonds and no exchangeable ions between the layers of kaolinite, the intercalation reaction of organics is difficult. We induct microwave techniques into the preparation of kaolinite/organics intercalation compound. We studied the microwave effect for the inserted piece (dimethylsulfoxide), intercalation rate and intercalation speed and discussed intercalation compound by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (powder method), thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and transmission electron microscopy. The result shows that microwave radiation can greatly shorten reaction time. XRD shows the intercalation rate can reach above 80% after 40 min reaction. FTIR proves the hydrogen bonds are formed between DMSO molecules and the inner surface hydroxyls of kaolinite and a TEM micrograph shows that microwave radiation can accelerate an exfoliation effect, which makes stacking layers of kaolinite delaminated as well as a reduction of the particle size dimensions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]