Thermogravimetric study of n-alkylammonium-intercalated montmorillonites of different cation exchange capacity

Three n -alkylammonium salts of varying alkyl chain length were ion exchanged with montmorillonites (MMT) of different cation exchange capacity (CEC). The intercalated MMTs were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), XRD, FTIR to acquire an insight into the intergallery structural arrangement of the organic alkylammonium cations (AAC). The increment in the intergallery spacing from XRD pattern was correlated with chain length and interlayer arrangement of AAC. Multiple organic mass-loss stages in thermogravimetric analysis indicate two types of anchorage of AAC in intercalated clay. CEC of MMT was found to influence the intergallery confinement and excess adsorption of AAC.