Evaluation of the influence of manufacture parameters during organoclay synthesis

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influences of synthesis parameters on the organophilization of a sodium bentonite clay via interlayer cation exchange by organocations. The parameters analyzed were: stirring time, rest time and surfactant concentration. The novelty of this study, when compared to others reported on the literature data, is the evaluation of different stirring and rest times, which is usually used as 20 min and 24 h, respectively. The organoclays obtained were characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Foster swelling test performed in water and hexane. The results allowed to observe the intercalation of the surfactant between the bentonite layers, the low influence of stirring and resting times on basal interplanar distance, and that the increase of the resting time resulted in higher efficiency on the organophilization process. The Foster swelling test evidenced the organophilic character of the obtained clay