Facile Processing of Clays Into Organically-Modified Aerogels

Authors

Louis S. Somlai, Case Western Reserve University
Suneel A. Bandi, Case Western Reserve University
David A. Schiraldi, Case Western Reserve University
Lon J. Mathias, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2006

Department

Polymers and High Performance Materials

Abstract

A facile process for the conversion of clay powders to organically modified clay aerogels (OMCAs) is reported. The resultant clay aerogels are of potential interest for a variety of applications, by themselves, or as a component in composite materials. Freeze-drying aqueous clay-surfactant solutions isolates these highly organized materials. Robust OMCAs are formed from clay-surfactant compositions that initially produce stable surfactant modified clay-water suspensions. Characterization of the OMCA by FTIR, WAXD, and TGA confirms the retention of surfactant after freeze-drying, while SEM and porosimetry data show a structural reorganization of clay sheet bundles. (c) 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Publication Title

AIChE Journal

Volume

52

Issue

3

First Page

1162

Last Page

1168

Recommended Citation

Somlai, L. S., Bandi, S. A., Schiraldi, D. A., Mathias, L. J. (2006). Facile Processing of Clays Into Organically-Modified Aerogels. AIChE Journal, 52(3), 1162-1168.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/2473