Formation of organoclays by a one step synthesis

Abstract Different lamellar hybrid inorganic–organic materials having as inorganic parent 2:1 (T.O.T.) phyllosilicates such as talc, saponite, pyrophyllite, beidellite and montmorillonite were prepared by a one step synthesis. The solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction, solid state 29 Si, 27 Al, and 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance and transmission electron microscopy. XRD patterns show that solids with inorganic parents having octahedral sheet based on aluminium exhibit a lamellar structure similar to MCM-50, whereas those with magnesium have an organophyllosilicate structure. In the first case, the absence of hexacoordinated aluminium was confirmed by 27 Al NMR and an ordered stacking of the layers is observed on TEM micrographs. In opposite, a disorder is observed on the TEM images of organophyllosilicates. The formation of the 2:1 structure was found to be controlled mainly by the insertion of silicic species in the interlamellar space of brucite like layers.