Thermal stability of clay/organic intercalation complexes

The comparison of thermal stabilities of different organoclay intercalation complexes is presented in this work. Montmorillonite/monomer and montmorillonite/polymer intercalation complexes with similar basal spacings show a pronounced difference in changes of d(001) values after 30 min heating. The hydrophilic and/or organophilic surface modification of the starting montmorillonite is an important factor affecting the intercalated amount of organic material and thus the expansion of the sheet silicate structure.