Influencing factors of intercalation of potassium acetate into dickite using immersion method

Potassium acetate (KAc) has been successfully intercalated into dickite through immersion method. Prepared complexes were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, XPS and SEM-EDS analyses. The effectiveness of intercalation and influencing factors were also analyzed. The results confirmed that KAc and H2O were successfully inserted into the interlayer of dickite. The results showed that intercalated rate of dickite by KAc were related to aging time, pH value, reaction temperature, and concentration of KAc solution. From the view of energy and environmental protection, reaction time for 24 h was enough to gain a satisfactory intercalation result. While a good intercalated complex can be obtained on the weak alkaline condition of pH value. A higher concentration of KAc solution was beneficial to intercalate and the reaction temperature below 100 °C was proved to be favorable for intercalation. •KAc and water are intercalated into dickite through immersion method.•The texture and morphology of dickite-KAc is changed a little.•Temperature of de-hydroxylation for dickite-KAc complex decreases about 200 °C.•Intercalation ratio depends on aging time, concentration of KAc solution, pH value and reaction temperature.