Preparation and characterization of Fe,Co,Si-pillared montmorillonites with aminosilanes as silicon pillars precursor

Abstract Fe,Co,Si-pillared montmorillonites with micro- and mesopores and high thermal stability were prepared by directly introducing transition metal ions (Fe and Co) and aminosilanes to the interlayer of calcium montmorillonite (Ca-Mt) from Inner Mongolia. The presence of Fe, Co and Si in the interlayer spaces of montmorillonite (Mt) and properties of these pillared Mt were investigated by a combination of X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, N 2 adsorption-desorption, thermal analysis, NH 3 temperature-programmed desorption and H 2 temperature-programmed reduction capacity tests techniques. The results indicated that the enhanced physicochemical properties of pillared Mt could be attributed to the formation of Fe, Co and Si composite pillars supporting the interlayer space. Particularly, aminosilane played an important role in improving the basal spacing and thermal stability of pillared montmorillonites.