Effect of Organosilane Functionalization of Kaolinite In Structure and Thermal Properties

Abstract

The composite homogeneity of polymer and inorganic content is often constrained by the high difference in surface tension of the two components. Inorganic filler surface tension is usually reduced using organosilane modification to improve miscibility. In this study, organosilane was introduced into Kaolinite clay to produce silanated kaolinite (sKal). The modification was carried out by reacting kaolinite with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APS) in ethanol media. The products were characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and thermal analysis. Successful silanated modification, sKal structure, thermal properties, and dispersion stability under water were reported. The appearance of absorptions demonstrated the success of the Kaolin Aps modification. New spectra from the N-H and CH2 group organosilanes of APS, which bind to kaolinite. The addition of organosilane concentrations can affect the structure of kaolinite, increasingly more organosilanes are added, widening the plate spacing of each layer, and resulting in the breaking of the polymer chains and the exfoliation of platelets between the layers of kaolinite. Thermal stability showed an increase in thermal degradation after modification with Organosilan-APS. Furthermore, modifying Kaolinite with APS can improve dispersion stability in aqueous. Kaolinite-APS modification can accelerate the deposition of colloidal dispersions by lowering the surface tension of kaolinite. The data showed the potential of sKal as a modifier polymer in composite preparation for any application.