Modifying interlayer space of montmorillonite with octakis(3-(1-methylimidazolium)propyl) octasilsesquioxane chloride

Abstract Highly water-soluble material of multi-imidazolium based silsesquioxane cages (material 2 ) is a promising candidate for modifying clay mineral interlayer space, which is successfully demonstrated by using montmorillonite. The modified montmorillonite can be easily prepared via cation exchange reaction between material 2 and sodium ions of montmorillonite, dispersed in an aqueous solution at room temperature. The modified montmorillonite formed a precipitate within a few seconds. A single layer of material 2 found to be intercalated in the modified montmorillonite with a maximum interlayer space ( d -value) of 18 A (1.8 nm) from 13 A (1.3 nm) of the unmodified one was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-rays diffraction (XRD). Moreover, the percentage uptake and nature of incorporation of material 2 into montmorillonite layers were investigated by thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), 29 Si NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies.