Preparation and Characterization for a New ZnO - Montmorillonite Hybrid from Iraqi (Traifawi) Clay Minerals

A new hybrid materials of zinc oxide with Iraqi (Traifawi) montmorillonite were synthesized by mixing 15 g. of H – form initiated montmorillonite with 100 ml saturated aqueous solution of Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) with continuous agitation at 60 ºC, and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 h. to ensure maximum interlayer Zn+2 cations intercalation. The resulting Zn – intercalated montmorillonite solid was separated by centrifugation, washed several times with deionized water for free (HCl), dried at 100 ºC for 24 h. and calcined at 900 ºC using Muffle Furnace. ZnO –montmorillonite hybrid was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fluorescence spectroscopy. The appearance of the reflections due to ZnO crystal in the XRD patterns of ZnO–montmorillonite and Zn – montmorillonite was ascribed to the formation of ZnO and Zn+2 ions on the solid surfaces. ZnO – montmorillonite hybrid (SEM) images show the flower-shaped structures on the external surface of clay mineral in a complete flower like morphology composed with sharp tipped hexagonal Nano rods. The enhancement in emission intensity of the zinc oxide hybrids may be probably due to increase in oxygen vacancies defect arose by the surrounding environment of montmorillonite. Keywords: Characterization, Iraqi (Traifawi), ZnO - Montmorillonite, hybrid