Preparation of Aluminum Pillared Interlayered Clays (Al-PILC) and Investigation of the Effect of pH During Intercalation

In this study, firstly bentonite from Tang-e Quchan mine was collected, and its montmorillonite content was mostly separated from impurities. Montmorillonite was used in the synthesis of Al-PILC to investigate the influence of pH during the intercalation process on properties of pillared clays. The pH of intercalation was initially 4.1, and Al/Clay ratio was determined 4 mmole/g clay. The pH of the intercalation stage was changed by adding some droplets of dilute hydrochloric acid. Al-PILCs were heated at 400 °C and were characterized using X-ray diffraction and adsorption/desorption isotherms of nitrogen. The results showed that at pH values between 3.7 and 4.1, Al-PILCs had an acceptable basal spacing and surface area. The highest surface area and the basal spacings were 18.04 0A and 160 m2/g, respectively which was obtained for pillared interlayered clay with intercalated pH of 3.8