The effect of microwave on preparation of kaolinite/dimethylsulfoxide composite during intercalation process

Since there are hydrogen bonds and no exchangeable ions between the layers of kaolinite, the intercalation reaction of organics is difficult. We induct microwave techniques into the preparation of kaolinite/organics intercalation compound. We studied the microwave effect for the inserted piece (dimethylsulfoxide), intercalation rate and intercalation speed and discussed intercalation compound by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (powder method), thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and transmission electron microscopy. The result shows that microwave radiation can greatly shorten reaction time. XRD shows the intercalation rate can reach above 80% after 40 min reaction. FTIR proves the hydrogen bonds are formed between DMSO molecules and the inner surface hydroxyls of kaolinite and a TEM micrograph shows that microwave radiation can accelerate an exfoliation effect, which makes stacking layers of kaolinite delaminated as well as a reduction of the particle size dimensions.