Grafted organic derivatives of kaolinite: I. Synthesis, chemical and rheological characterization

Abstract

Abstract Several new interlayer-grafted derivatives of kaolinite were synthesized by esterification of inner-surface hydroxyl groups with alkanols, diols and glycol mono-ethers starting with the dimethyl sulphoxide intercalate. The derivatives were characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry, thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The grafted molecules are arranged in monolayers between the kaolinite layers, with typical basal spacings of ~11.3 Å. Rheological studies of aqueous dispersions of the modified kaolinites revealed an exponential increase of the yield value and apparent viscosity with increasing alkyl chain length of the grafted molecules.