The effect of ultrasonic waves, microwave irradiation and calcination temperature in the synthesis of intercalated nano-bentonite by Al, Fe polyoxocations

In this research, the structural modification of nano bentonite carried out to create a porous clay intercalated by Al, Fe-polyoxocations into basal spacing of bentonite layers. In this way, to increase pillars and to improve the adsorption and catalytic properties of pillared samples, the effect of ultrasonic waves and microwave irradiation in both aging and intercalation steps was investigated for a first time. The incorporation of ultrasonic and microwave techniques significantly reduced the synthetic time and water consuming. In this research the effect of calcination temperature for the formation of stable pillars from FexAl13-x oxides was also evaluated at 300, 500, 700 and 900°C. The obtained results of UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption showed the increase of d001, the increase of micro and mesopore volume, and the increase of Al and Fe content in pillared samples due to formation of polyoxocations in the interlayer space of bentonite. The obtained results from calcination effect illustrated the high stability of pillared samples until 700°C, and increased the destruction effect on clay structure at 900°C.