The Intercalation of Polar Organic Compounds into Kaolinite

Abstract

The intercalation of several highly polar organic compounds into kaolinite and the formation of interlamellar complexes has been examined by X-ray diffraction. Some compounds intercalate directly into kaolinite, while others can only be intercalated by the displacement of a previously intercalated compound. The formation of the complexes is strongly dependent on the properties of the organic compound, and generally a large dipole moment favours the formation of a complex. A large dipole moment may however cause extensive association in the liquid state and this decreases the rate of intercalation. The addition of water to highly associated compounds increases the rate of intercalation by breaking up the structure of the associated liquid, and the rate passes through a maximum with increasing water content. Thus the rate of intercalation is found to depend on the extent of association in the liquid or solution, the temperature and the molecular size. The d(001) spacings of the complexes are given and the orientation and packing of the intercalated molecules in relation to the Δ - values is discussed.