Synthesis and characterization of aluminum-gallium pillared clays with high thermal and hydrothermal stability

This work describes the preparation and characterization of a new PILC material with mixed pillars of Al 3+ and Ga 3+ intercalated between the layers of montmorillonite. Various Al/Ga ratios are studied in order to obtain the most suitable physicochemical properties and the maximum stability of the products. The basal spacing of the samples obtained varies between 18.7 and 19.9 A at room temperature and between 17.5 and 17.7 A after thermal treatment at 500 o C