Adsorbents from natural clays for the separation of hexane isomers

Pillared interlayered clays (PILCs) with zirconium oxide pillars were prepared from a montmorillonite raw clay. The pillaring increased the specific surface area more than twelve times (in relation to the raw clay) and developed micro and mesoporosity. The zirconium oxide PILCs were tested for the first time to access their properties in the separation of hexane isomers. More specifically the separation of the monobranched molecules (n-hexane, 2-methylpentane and 3-methylpentane) that are much less valuable for the production of gasolines than their dibranched counterparts 2,2-dimethylbutane and 2,3-dimethylbutane. One of the studied PILCs presented high selectivity values, as evaluated from the Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory, for the equilibrium separation of linear from the dibranched hexane isomers, particularly from the 2,2-dimethylbutane.

Automated summary

Pillared interlayered clays (PILCs) with zirconium oxide pillars were prepared from a montmorillonite raw clay. The pillaring technique significantly increased the specific surface area and developed micro and mesoporosity. The zirconium oxide PILCs exhibited high selectivity in the separation of hexane isomers.