Effect of microwave irradiations on the sorption of alkylimidazolium salts on bentonite

Abstract

Sorption study of alkylimidazolium salts on a bentonite aims at elaborating organophilic organoclay materials likely to be used in the separation of organic compounds of diverse polluted effluents. Therefore, the action of bromide and hexafluorophosphate salts of several alkyl-3-methylimidazolium, with long hydrocarbon chains (C10–C18), on a calcic bentonite was followed by several analysis methods. The analysis results reveal the insertion of alkylimidazolium cations between layers of clay, the adsorption extent of alkylimidazolium salts on surfaces of treated clays and presence of bonds relative to fixed organic salts. The contribution of activation by microwave irradiations on adsorption and insertion of bentonite was also studied (90 W for 5–30 min) and the obtained results were compared with those obtained under classical conditions (room temperature for 24 h). It was found that adsorption and intercalation capacities become quicker and more important under microwave activation. This insertion phenomenon becomes more and more significant with the irradiation time and the excess of imidazolium salts. The original point of the paper carries on the activation by microwave irradiations on bentonite insertion.