Study of the thermal behaviour of a derivative based on a zirconium agent (modified montmorillonite) and determination of the physical characteristics

Abstract

In this research, untreated Algerian maghnite has been used to develop two types of modified clays: the first one is a homo-ionic sodium clay (Na-Mag) which is a support to develop a montmorillonite by insertion of zirconium hydroxyl cations. The different series of techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ζ), have been used to define the physical characteristics of the clays by studying their particle size distribution as well as the thermal profile. In addition, the pillar-shaped montmorillonite (Maghnite) exhibit a negative charge even when its pH reach 2.8. This large negative surface charge of montmorillonite suggests optimal removal of organic molecule particles present in the aqueous medium. The results obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis show that the bands characterizing the presence of intercalating agents are visible. Thermography of the zirconium pillar species shows an improvement in the thermal stability of the silicate structure with two well differentiated zones. Adsorbed organic cations result in a reduction of the surface load, that is, a decrease of its negativity, as well as a cancellation of the charge.