Modification of montmorillonite with aminopropylisooctyl polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane.

Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) was modified with various amounts of aminopropylisooctyl polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) and a second surfactant (alkyl ammonium based) via ion-exchange reactions. Interlayer spacing, interlamellar structure, and thermal and surface properties of these organoclays were characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and contact angle measurement. The interlayer space of POSS-modified clay (POSS-MMT) was strongly dependent on the arrangement of POSS surfactant but less dependent on the POSS concentration.

Surface characteristics of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane modified clay and its application in polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers.

Novel porous aminopropyllsooctyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) modified montmorillonite clay complexes (POSS-Mts) with large interlayer distance and specific surface area have been successfully prepared via ion-exchange reaction and followed by freeze-drying treatment. The morphology of the POSS-Mts is highly influenced by the POSS concentration, pH of the suspension and drying procedure, but the interlayer distance of the POSS-Mts does not change much when the POSS concentration is above 0.4 CEC.