Intercalation of a Cationic Surfactant in the Interlayer Space of Smectites

Abstract

Abstract The properties of cationic surfactant-clay mixtures were examined by measurements of the electric conductivity, absorption spectra, and X-ray diffraction patterns. The orientation of N-[[4-(aminoiminomethyl)amino]butyl]dodecanamide (DAG) as a intercalated cationic surfactant and the thickness of the interlayer space of clay using Na-saponite (Sumecton SA) were investigated. DAG molecules were intercalated in a 1 nm gap in the interlayer space of clay. It is speculated that alkyl groups of the surfactant molecules are placed not parallel, but inclined slightly vertical to the internal surface of Na-saponite.