Surfactant Molecules Intercalated in Laponite as Studied by ¹³C and ²⁹Si MAS NMR

Abstract

The structure and dynamics of surfactant molecules intercalated in Laponite have been characterized by solid-state 13C NMR relaxation times and 13C- and 29Si-detected proton relaxation times. These results are compared to similar data obtained for a surfactant intercalated in montmorillonite and for different mesoporous materials. As compared with montmorillonite clay, a higher mobility and a greater percentage of the gauche conformation of the surfactant molecules are found in Laponite. The 29Si-detected proton relaxation times in the rotating frame are sensitive to the amount of intercalated surfactant.