Research on the Preparation and Mechanism of the Organic Montmorillonite and Its Application in Drilling Fluid

Xiaolong Wang,Peizhi Yu,Baolin Liu

doi:10.1155/2015/514604

Xiaolong Wang, Peizhi Yu + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/514604

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Abstract

The study focused on the relation of structure, property, and application of composite prepared by organic cation intercalated montmorillonite (Mt). Herein a new kind of green and steady ionic liquid, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride monohydrate (C12mimCl), was chosen as the intercalated agent. This study used molecular dynamics (MD) modeling to examine the interlayer microstructures of montmorillonite intercalated with C12mimCl. The C12mimCl intercalation was relatively fast with a large rate constant. The process was affected by the initial concentration of the solution; the basal spacing increased to 2.08 nm after intercalation. The coordination of electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding expelled water molecules out of the clay gallery and bound the layer together, which led to the dehydration of clay. The intercalation of C12minCl into Mt interlayer space affected rheology of the system and improved various properties. This organic clay composite was environmentally friendly and could be used in drilling fluid system. These models provided insights into the prediction of synthesized organic cationic-clay microstructure and guidelines for relevant engineering applications.

Highlights

Montmorillonites (Mts) are clay minerals with regular layer structure composed of octahedral sheet between two tetrahedral sheets
After the mixtures were centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 20 min, the supernatants were filtered through 0.22 μm syringe filters before being analyzed for equilibrium C12mimCl concentrations
The reaction time (Figure 1(a)) and initial concentration (Figure 1(b)) of solution were two important factors affecting Mt’s intercalation by C12mimCl. It was a rapid process of organic cations intercalated into Mts; half of maximum amount of intercalation could be reached in 5 min, while full maximum amount of intercalation would be achieved in 20 min

Summary

Introduction

Montmorillonites (Mts) are clay minerals with regular layer structure composed of octahedral sheet between two tetrahedral sheets. Intercalating organic and inorganic species into layered host materials has drawn researchers’ increasing interests. It is an effective way to construct ordered inorganicorganic and inorganic-inorganic assemblies with unique microstructures and properties [1, 2]. The montmorillonite’s group of clay minerals provides attractive features, including large surface area, swelling behavior, adsorption, and ion exchange [3, 4]. The intercalated single layer nanosized Mt particles (0.6–1 nm in width) are ideal dispersing additives for the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites to enhance mechanical, thermal, and chemical stabilities. Montmorillonites have been extensively used as the host materials and in other possible ways because of their attractive properties and ability to accommodate various kinds of organic and inorganic guest species [5]

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