Oriented microporous film of tetramethylammonium pillared saponite

Abstract

Tetramethylammonium saponite film has been prepared and its structure has been characterized. By casting the aqueous suspension of the tetramethylammonium–saponite, a transparent film was obtained. The film is composed of oriented silicate particles with ab planes parallel to the substrate. The interlayer tetramethylammonium ions provide micropores in the interlayer space and the micropores are interconnected in the direction parallel to the silicate sheet. The film is regarded as a unique immobilizing medium for photoactive species because of the transparency and the anisotropic microporous structure.