Preparation of Organovermiculite for Adsorption of Organic Compounds

Abstract

Organically modified clay minerals are widely used as sorbents for hydrophobic organic compounds e.g., organic pollutants treatment from water solutions. Natural clay materials are hydrophilic and therefore they are not efficient sorbents for organic compounds. Intercalations of natural clay materials, with organic cations, with quaternary ammonium groups may become these clays hydrophobic. Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate; this natural clay was modified and used for the production of organically modified clay (organovermiculite), with the purpose of its use in removing organic contaminants. The organovermiculite was prepared using different concentrations of distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (praepagen) based on cationic exchange capacity of the clay. It was evident from the X-ray diffraction that the salt was incorporated to the clay structure confirming its organophilization and through the Foster swelling test it was observed the affinity between the organic pollutants and the organovermiculite.