DISPERSION OF REDUCED-CHARGE LI⁺-MONTMORILLONITE IN SELECTED SOLVENT MIXTURES

Abstract

Reduced-charge montmorillonite (RCM, cation exchange capacity (CEC)=7.5 cmol_c kg⁻¹) prepared by heating Li⁺-montmorillonite (CEC=98.1 cmol_c kg⁻¹) at 400°C for 2 h could be finely dispersed in a mixture of water, dimethylformamide, and ammonia, as confirmed by particle size distribution and atomic force microscopy measurements. Upon dispersion, the CEC of RCM increased to 51.8 cmol_c kg⁻¹, and about 50% of fixed Li⁺ ions was converted into exchangeable ones.