Ionic liquid modification of layered silicates for enhanced thermal stability

A natural and synthetic layered silicate (LS) was modified with trihexyltetradecylphosphonium tetrafluoroborate (an ionic liquid) via a cationic exchange reacation. The exchange reaction and loading of modifier was investigated using a combination of WAXD, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal stability of the modified LS was enhanced by up to 150 degrees C, when compared with conventional quaternary ammonium cations, making melt mixing of such modified W nanoclays possible with poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET).