Structural Characteristics of Organo-Modified Bentonites of Different Origin

Abstract

Organobentonites were synthesized by treating Na-bentonites (Wyoming and Reşadiye) with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) using ion exchange method. The difference in the basal spacing by 0.65 Å and a higher mass loss by 13.32% of organobentonite (Wyoming) in the temperature range 200-550°C comparing with that of organobentonite (Reşadiye) were in conformity with the CEC values of organobentonites. The HOH stretching and bending peaks of bentonites became sharper following the treatment with the organo-cation. The intensity decrease of the Al-OH band for organobentonite (Reşadiye) and in particular, the significantly higher amount of m-cresol retained by the organobentonite of lower CEC than that by the organobentonite (Wyoming) indicate the influence of the CP cation on the adsorption process. © Springer-Verlag 2007.