On the mechanism of ion exchange in zirconium phosphates—XXI Intercalation of amines by α-zirconium phosphate

Abstract

The intercalation of n-propylamine, n-butylamine and ethylenediamine by the layered compound α-zirconium phosphate has been examined. Each of the amines forms a number of phases whose interlayer spacings are indicative of the orientation of the amines within the layers. At low uptakes of the n-alkyl amines, they appear to lie parallel to the layers. At higher contents a double layer forms with the carbon chain backbone roughly inclined at a 60° angle to the plane of the layer. A maximum of one n-alkyl amine molecule per phosphate group is intercalated. Half as much ethylenediamine is intercalated which constitutes the same number of amine-groups. The interlayer spacings indicate, however, that the ethylenediamine chain always lies parallel to the layer but in at least four different orientations, giving rise to as many phases.