Amounts Of Bentonite Research Articles

It’s not waste, it’s a resource: Utilizing industrial waste fibers/mineral fillers to attain flame retardant biocomposites

Integrating natural fibers derived from local industrial waste streams into thermoplastic starch (TPS) proves to be a promising approach towards sustainable flame retardant biocomposites. Initially, three types of waste fibers from the agave, coconut, and leather industries were evaluated for their flame retardant properties in combination with aluminum trihydroxide (ATH), an environmental friendly flame retardant. Leather fiber (BLF) exhibited the best flame retardant performance and were further investigated along with ATH and varying amounts of bentonite nanoclay to enhance the residual protective layer. The combination of multiple components shows improvement in performance while reducing the total load of filler. The images of the fire residues revealed that a more enclosed surface correlates with a reduction in the peak of heat release rate. Whereas higher amounts of bentonite does not deliver further inprovements, only 1 phr nanoclay in the novel multicomponent system of TPS, ATH, BLF, and bentonite synergistically improved the UL-94 rating from HB to V1. The proposed system brings together the different approaches using a renewable biopolymer, natural waste fibres, and envirnmentally friendly flame retardancy and thus, is striking for its combination of outstanding sustainablity, instant feasability, and sufficient fire performance.

Evaluation of the Nitrogen Release Properties of Chitosan-Bentonite Beads

In this study, chitosan-bentonite beads were prepared by using bentonite and chitosan as fertilizer carrier materials and urea as fertilizer components. The prepared samples were named BUC0.2, BUC0.4 and BUC0.6 based on the bentonite ratios of 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% (weight/volume). In the FT-IR and XRD results, it was seen that the characteristic peaks of the bentonite structure became evident in the BUC0.6 sample, while chitosan peaks were dominant in the BUC0.2 sample, as expected. As the amount of bentonite increased, the swelling ratio generally increased from 31.6% to 48.6. In the nitrogen release experiments, a very rapid nitrogen release occurred in the first hours of release. It was thought to be due to the rapid dissolution of urea in water. The cumulative release percentage showed a slightly decreasing trend in the days following the release experiment. When nitrogen release profiles of the samples containing different amounts of bentonite were compared, it was observed that the nitrogen release curves were quite close to each other due to the lower bentonite ratio. Release percentages of the samples containing different amounts of bentonite were obtained between 61.2-67.7. Observations supported the efficient degradation of fertilizers in the soil environment. As a result, it was evaluated that the prepared materials were promising as environmentally friendly nitrogen fertilizer.

Effects of silicate stabilizers on cadmium reduction and the quality of rice grains in acidic paddy soil

Silicate has been proven to be highly-effective at immobilizing soil heavy metals, but the effects of silicate stabilizers on rice grain cadmium (Cd) reduction and rice quality under field conditions are not clear. In this study, a field experiment was conducted over three consecutive years was conducted to examine the Cd reduction in rice grains and to reveal the potential effects of silicate stabilizers on rice grain nutrients, by setting different amounts of bentonite (B), silica‒calcium fertilizer (SC) and zeolite powder (ZP). The results revealed that the application of the B, SC and ZP significantly decreased the soil CaCl2‒Cd concentration (> 39%) and significantly reduced the grain Cd concentration in both early rice (> 70%) and late rice (> 18%) under field conditions; the silicate stabilizers reduced the soil available iron (Fe) but did not limit rice grain Fe nutrition. Additionally, the three silicates promoted rice yield and improved the rice grain Ca and Mg contents; and the application of B increased the amylose concentration of the late rice grains. In conclusion, high amounts of silicate stabilizers did not adversely influence the soil conventional nutrient indices, rice minerals or rice taste, but changes in rice selenium content need attention. Overall, in comparison with lime, silicate stabilizers can improve not only the safety of rice but also the nutritional and taste qualities of rice and are more eco-friendly for long-term use in soil.

Bentonite/hydroxyethylcellulose as eco-dielectrics with potential utilization in energy storage

Abstract This study deals with the preparation and characterization of novel composites accomplished by filling hydroxyethylcellulose with several amounts of bentonite. Molecular modeling enabled understanding the conformational and physicochemical features, which are responsible for the chemical reactivity parameters. Rheological analyses are made to investigate the effect of the polymer loading on the shear flow behavior. The morphology and homogeneity of each system is explored via optical microscopy. The band gap of the samples is slightly reduced by the addition of the bio-filler in the cellulosic medium, as indicated by UV-VIS spectral data. The dielectric response of these materials is extracted from refractometry experiments at several wavelengths. The electric energy density was achieved based on the dielectric properties determined at high and low frequencies. The outcome of this study offers new ways to produce alternative dielectric eco-materials having a good potential of accumulating electrical energy, as demanded for capacitor devices.

Deproteinized natural rubber‐graft‐polyacrylamide‐graft‐polystyrene (DPNR‐g‐PAM‐g‐PSt): Preparation and performance study of a new water swellable rubber

AbstractIn this study, the water swellable rubber DPNR‐g‐PAM‐g‐PSt (DPP) was prepared by emulsion polymerization in a tert‐butyl hydroperoxide/tetraethylenepentamine initiation system using deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) as the substrate, acrylamide (AM) and styrene (St) as the monomers, and Brij‐35 as the emulsifier. On this basis, the bentonite (BT) was added for coblending. The successful grafting of AM and St was verified by particle size, contact angle, Fourier transform infrared,1H‐NMR, scanning electron microscope, and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of blending with different amounts of bentonite on the mechanical properties and water absorption properties were discussed. The water swellable rubber DPP and DPP/BT prepared in this study have good prospects for applications in industry, construction, medical care, environmental protection, soil improvement, and nuclear waste treatment.

벤토나이트를 첨가한 카제인나트륨 기반 코팅지 제조 및 특성 연구

This study reports on the preparation of sodium caseinate-cardanol (CasNa/CL)-based papers coated with different amounts of bentonite (BN) for use as a sustainable packaging material. Their chemical and morphological structures, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, surface properties, and antioxidant activity of coated papers was assessed as a function of the BN content. The drying of the CasNa/CL coated papers led to the formation of pinholes on their surfaces owing to the presence of trapped water resulting from the difference in the drying rate between the external surface and the inside of the coated layers. Increasing the BN content reduced the pinholes on surface of CasNa/CL/BN coated papers and highly decreased the water vapor transmittance rate of the papers from 387.3±1.9 g/m2·day to 269.25±4.5 g/m2·day. Free radical scavenging assays indicated the addition of CL to the CasNa exhibited the antioxidant activity and antioxidant activity of CasNa/CL/BN did not changed as increase of BN contents. The improved water vapor barrier property and antioxidant activity of CasNa/CL/BN coated papers can be promised for various packaging applications.

Static and cyclic behaviour of epoxy resin and bentonite-grouted sands

The purpose of the present study was to conduct a thorough laboratory investigation concerning the positive effect of pure amino-based epoxy resin grouts or epoxy resin grouts containing low amounts of bentonite on the strength of medium to fine sands under monotonic or dynamic loading. To assess the effect of grouting on the monotonic strength of grouted sands, a series of unconfined compression tests were performed on specimens at various curing ages and isotropically consolidated undrained triaxial tests on specimens at 90 days of curing. Isotropically consolidated undrained cyclic triaxial tests were also conducted to study the cyclic response of grouted sands. The laboratory test results demonstrated that the strength of the sands was remarkably improved by epoxy resin when combined with small dosages of bentonite under monotonic or cyclic loading. The mean increment in 90-day compressive strength, elastic modulus, friction angle and cohesion of grouted specimens is 130%, 88%, 51% and 74.8%, respectively, in relation to the ones without bentonite content. Also, grouted samples showed a large increase in cyclic resistance and failure occurred at significantly increased stress levels as well as at a higher number of loading cycles than for their un-grouted or pure epoxy resin grouted counterparts. Based on the experimental data from dynamic triaxial tests, we performed a non-linear regression analysis was performed to correlate the critical values of cyclic stress ratio to particular descriptor variables.

The corrosion resistance of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) containing high-volume fly ash and low-volume bentonite against the combined action of sulfate attack and dry-wet cycles

This study aims to investigate the corrosion resistance of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) containing high-volume fly ash and low-volume bentonite against the combined action of sulfate attack and dry-wet cycles. The fly ash/cement ratios (FA/C) were 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4. The amounts of bentonite blended in the ECCs of each FA/C were 0%, 3%, and 6% by mass. The specimens were immersed in 10% sodium sulfate solutions (S), 10% magnesium sulfate solutions (M), and water (W) for 150 dry-wet cycles. The pore fluid distribution and three-dimensional pore distribution of the specimens were observed with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and industrial computed tomography (CT); the compressive strength and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME) of the specimens were measured every 25 dry-wet cycles; The microstructures of the ECC were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after 150 dry-wet cycles. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of the ECC decreased with the increase of FA/C. In contrast, adding bentonite improved the pore structure and the performance of the ECC. Analysis of the interactions between fly ash and bentonite revealed that the ECC with a FA/C of 1.8 and a bentonite content of 3% is highly corrosion resistant. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of ECC is related to the coupling effects of sulfate corrosion and dry-wet cycles. Sulfate exerted has negative and positive effects on the ECC before and after the 75th dry-wet cycle. After 150 dry-wet cycles, the corrosion resistance of ECC from highest to lowest is the ones immersed in W>in M>in S.

Characterization of the Chemical and Physical Properties of Bar Soap Made with Different Concentrations of Bentonite as a Filler

The use of bentonite in cosmetics is considered beneficial for absorbing dirt and moisturizing and detoxifying the skin. In this study, different amounts of bentonite (10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 g) were used as a filler in 5 separate formulations of natural bar soap having coconut oil as the primary ingredient. Each type of bentonite soap was analyzed in accordance with the Indonesian National Standards (SNI). The free alkali content for each of the five preparations of bentonite soap was zero, the moisture content ranged from 0.88 to 1.15 %, the pH ranged from 8.7 to 8.8, the total free fatty acid content ranged from 0.28 to 0.72, and the foam or bubble stability was above 70%, while the soap’s hardness ranged from 1.49 N/m2 to 1.54 N/m2. All five soap types fulfilled SNI standards, but the soaps containing 15 g and 17.5 g of bentonite had a far better appearance. The chemical compositions of the bar soap composed of 15 g bentonite (BS 15) and the bar soap composed of 17.5 g bentonite (BS 17.5) were calculated using material balance and compared by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The EDX analysis revealed that both BS 15 and BS 17.5 contained the Si and Al metals originating from the bentonite. No heavy metals considered harmful to skin health (e.g., Hg, Pb, As, or Cd) were detected. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the topography and texture of BS 15 and BS 17.5 revealed a more even distribution of Si and Al throughout BS 17.5 than in BS 15. BS 17.5 was therefore deemed the best formula as it meets SNI standards and has a better appearance and a more even mineral distribution.

Evaluating the properties and mineral phases of the expanded clay aggregates with the bentonite additive material

Additive materials are the perfect solutions to improve the physical, mechanical and expansion properties of lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA). This work focused on studying the effect of bentonite materials on physical, mechanical, expansion properties and mineral phases of expanded clay aggregates. Samples were collected from Mályi quarry Miskolc, Hungary. These samples were studied by XRF, XRD, SEM and heating microscope. In addition, the physical and mechanical properties of specimens were measured according to relating standards. Results showed that, addition of bentonite material to the clay samples has great effect on bulk density, sintering and melting point and compressive strength of the aggregates. By using the three different amounts (5 %, 10 % and 20 %) of bentonite with the LECA, compressive strength of the aggregates was enhanced by 48 % to 112 % compared to aggregates without bentonite. 10 % of bentonite with aggregates was enhanced the height expansion of the aggregates by 50–68 %. In addition, 10 % of bentonite with LECA was most crucial, which decreased bulk density of aggregates by 5 % to 20 % compared with other added amounts of bentonite. According to XRD analysis, hercynite was one of the phases, which can control compressive strength of aggregates.

Proportion Test Results of Soil-Bentonite Mixture and Cement Stabilized Soil Using the Crushed Stone Dust (Screenings) for the Surface Impermeable Soil Liner Material

Crushed stone dust is stone powder generated in the production process of crushed stone, and crushed stone dust prepared to a maximum particle size of 2.5 mm or less is specified as "Screenings (F-2.5)" by JIS A 5001 (Crushed Stone for Road Construction). "Screenings" is mainly used as a fine aggregate of asphalt concrete for paving. Since "Screenings (F-2.5)" is a product of the stone crushing factory, the quality is relatively stable, and the fine particle fraction (75 µm or less) is also contained at about 0 to 20%, and therefore, the applicability as soil material is considered to be high. In the preliminary study, we investigated the applicability of "Screenings (F-2.5)" as base material for the surface impermeable soil liner material (soil-bentonite mixture and cement stabilized soil), and we got a suggestion that the target water permeability could be achieved by appropriately setting the types and amounts of bentonite and cement-based materials when the target compaction degree was set to Dc 95 % or more and the target water permeability coefficient in laboratory test was set to 1×10-7 cm/s or less (1×10-9 m/s or less) . In this paper, we introduce the result of proportion test carried out for the purpose of actually applying soil-bentonite mixture and cement stabilized soil using crushed stone dust (Screenings) as a base material to surface impermeable soil liner construction work.

Geotechnical Characterization of soils for Use as Landfill Liner: A case study of soil samples from the Paynesville Sandstone and Farmington River Formation, Liberia

In Liberia, waste management is one of the main challenges faced by municipal authorities, environmental technicians and public health practitioners in their quest to maintain a clean, safe and healthy environment. The construction and operation of a sanitary landfill ensures adequate waste management and, by extension, the protection of both the environment and human receptors. This study presents the results of geotechnical investigations conducted on soils from two sedimentary units of Liberia: Paynesville Sandstone and Farmington River Formation. The intent of the study was to assess the suitability of the soil for use as landfill liner. Three soil samples were collected from each of the two sedimentary units and, using B.S 1377 (1990), soils characteristics such as particle size distribution, permeability, liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index and hydraulic conductivity were measured and presented as mean values. Hydraulic conductivity of a sanitary landfill liner is the most important parameter to consider in materials selection. The results of hydraulic conductivity obtained from the study showed that only the samples from Farmington River Formation met the USEPA (1994) and CGRM (2007) requirement of ≤ 1x10-9 m/sec suitable for use as landfill liner. The mean soil permeability results for the Paynesville Sandstone and Farmington River Formation were 2.5 mL/hr and 0.05 mL/hr respectively; implying that the samples from the Paynesville Sandstone are more permeable and, thus, more susceptible to leaching and groundwater contamination if used as a bottom liner in a landfill design. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that the sample from the Farmington River Formation is more suitable for use as a natural material for landfill liner. The quality of the sample should, however, be improved by addition of small amounts of bentonite.

Hydraulic performance of anionic polymer-treated bentonite-granular soil mixtures

Abstract In this study, hydraulic conductivity and viscosity determination tests were performed on two different bentonite-granular soil mixtures having various amounts of bentonite in order to obtain the optimum mixture to be used as a liner for waste containment facilities. To enhance the hydraulic capability of these mixtures, an anionic polymer was added to the bentonite. In bentonite-granular soil mixtures, two different aggregate compositions were used: A typical aggregate composition used in the production of C20 type concrete with a void ratio of 0.33 and an aggregate composition with a void ratio of 0.21 that was the minimum void ratio determined by testing various granular soil compositions. In these two mixtures, the bentonite content varied from 8 to 15% whereas the polymer content was within the range of 0.5–10% by mass. Test results indicated that intrinsic permeability decreased drastically due to an increase in the bentonite content. 15% bentonite addition caused a decrease of almost 5.5 orders of magnitude when compared with the granular soils without any bentonite content. 2% anionic polymer addition resulted in a decrease of approximately 2.5 orders of magnitude in hydraulic conductivity. However, further increase in polymer content had almost no effect on lowering hydraulic conductivity. 2% polymer addition in bentonite-granular soil mixtures provided hydraulic conductivity values as low as 10−11 m/s. The decrease in hydraulic conductivity was attributed to the increase in the viscosity of the fluid. Due to polymer addition, an inverse relationship existed between hydraulic conductivity and intrinsic permeability. As a result, polymer-treated bentonite-granular soil mixtures can effectively be used as barrier layers in waste containment facilities.

Experimental Evaluation of Geomechanical Behaviour of Bentonite-Sand Mixture for Nuclear Waste Disposal

Nuclear waste disposal and spent nuclear fuel are a major concern in most countries. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field, recommended the deep geological disposal for high level radioactive spent fuel. For such disposal, selection of the host rock and the barrier system may be different, but almost all the programs are considering an engineered barrier. A mixture of sand and bentonite is primarily selected as a possible artificial buffer for thermal disintegration that surrounds and protects the individual nuclear waste canisters. In this study, the behavior of geotechnical properties was observed for various bentonite-sand mixing ratios (10-50%). The geomechanical experiments such as specific gravity, compaction, unconfined compression, direct shear and falling head permeability were executed to define an optimum amount of bentonite and sand proportion for designing and constructing a better nuclear waste disposal facility. The addition of bentonite increases the geotechnical parameters such as maximum dry density, specific gravity, unconfined compressive strength, Young's modulus and cohesion. However, the addition leads to a decrease in the optimum moisture content, angle of internal friction and the hydraulic conductivity of sand mixture. Optimum performance of the bentonite-sand mixture was observed when the mixture contained equal amounts of sand and bentonite.

Preparation and swelling properties of poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) composite hydrogels

Abstract In order to study the effect of composite clays on the mechanical properties, water absorption and salt tolerance of a hydrogel, a poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/bentonite/kaolin composite hydrogel was prepared. Acrylic acid and acrylamide have been used as water absorbent monomers. N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide was used as a crosslinking agent while potassium persulfate was used as an initiator. The water preserving capability, repeated water absorption, salt resistance and the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel are analyzed and discussed. The results show that a small quantity of bentonite can increase the storage modulus of the composite hydrogel, whereas the excess clay had an unfavorable effect on the mechanical strength of the composite hydrogel. Both bentonite and kaolin significantly improved the water preserving capability, repeated water absorption and salt resistance of the composite hydrogel. Optimum values for the amounts of bentonite and kaolin were found to be 10% and 5%, respectively.

Techno-economic analysis for barrier materials in landfills

The safe disposal of waste materials, both domestic and hazardous, requires a detailed geoengineered solution, with the isolation of the waste material from the environment being the main consideration. Generally, the low permeability soil (k < 10−9 m/s) is used as a barrier material in landfills so that it could resist the infiltration of leachate into the soil. Composite clay liner (CCL) consisting of a fine-grained soil layer with low hydraulic conductivity, overlain by a geomembrane are commonly used to line and cover municipal solid waste landfills. But it is not always possible to find the clays with low permeability locally. Sand–bentonite mixtures can be used as a fabricated soil liner (FSL) material as an alternative. The addition of adequate amounts of bentonite (5–30%) can improve the performance of granular material providing both low permeability and an enhanced mechanical stability. This paper includes results of an experimental study on FSL to study their behaviour by blending locally available sandy/silty soil with bentonite varying from 0 to 40% for sand and 0 to 15% for silt. The experimental program comprising evaluation of basic index properties such as Atterberg Limits, specific gravity, compaction tests, etc. and a detailed study of the compressibility and hydraulic characteristics of the sand–bentonite and silt–bentonite mixes was done. The optimum range of bentonite content for sand and silt are arrived as 10–15% and 5–10%, respectively. In many cases, a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is also used as liner material, which is factory-manufactured clay liner consisting of a thin layer of bentonite encased between two geotextiles or glued to a geomembrane. The paper also overviews the relative merits/ demerits of different barrier materials regarding their suitability for application in varied field conditions. A comparative cost analysis to the use of CCL, FSL and a GCL as a barrier material in landfills/waste containment facilities in order to judge the economic viability of different materials is presented. It has been analysed that FSL is more economical as compared to other engineered liner types for a lead beyond 100 km. GCLs can be used when both bentonite and suitable clay are not available nearby and have to be transported from long distances.

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF NATURAL NIGERIAN CALCIUM BENTONITE ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Bentonite clay is widely distributed all over the world and it has been consistently used for its healing properties. In this study, the in vivo effect of natural Nigerian calcium bentonite clay on haematological parameters of wistar albino rat were investigated. The rats were fed for a total period of 28 days with varying concentrations of the bentonite clay. The haemoglobin count, packed cell volume, total white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil and lymphocyte count were assayed. Test results showed that the bentonite had a lowering effect on haematological parameters studied in a concentration and time dependent manner with differences in concentration and time at 95 % confidence levels (P< 0.05). The highest decrease of 12.60 ± 0.36 vs control 14.35 ± 0.00 (g/dl) was obtained for Hb at the highest concentration of 0.07g at 28 days duration. PCV, WBC, RBC, platelet, neutrophil and lymphocyte analysis also showed highest decrease at 28 days duration at 0.07g/100g body weight. The results showed that using bentonite in small amounts for a short period of time had little effect. However, it is imperative that anyone intending to take large amounts of bentonite for long periods of time to undergo blood tests from time to time.

Novel carboxymethyl cellulose based nanocomposite membrane: Synthesis, characterization and application in water treatment

Significant efforts have been made to develop composite membranes with high adsorption efficiencies for water treatment. In this study, a carboxymethyl cellulose-graft-poly(acrylic acid) membrane was synthesized in the presence of silica gel, which was used as an inorganic support. Then, different amounts of bentonite were introduced to the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) grafted networks as a multifunctional crosslinker, and nanocomposite membranes were prepared. The nanocomposite membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, which revealed their compositions and surface morphologies. The novel synthesized nanocomposite membranes were utilized as adsorbents for the removal of crystal violet (CV) and cadmium (Cd (II)) ions, which were selected as representatives of a dye and a heavy metal, respectively. We explored the effects of various parameters, such as time, pH, temperature, initial concentration of adsorbate solution and amount of adsorbent, on membrane adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the kinetic, adsorption isotherm models and thermodynamic were employed for the description of adsorption processes. The maximum adsorption capacities of membranes for CV and Cd (II) ions were found to be 546 and 781 mg g−1, respectively. The adsorption of adsorbate ions by all types of nanocomposite membranes followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model and was best fit with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The results indicated that the synthesized nanocomposite membrane is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye and metal contaminants from aqueous solution during water treatment.

Rheology of aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) solutions reinforced with bentonite clay

The rheological properties of bentonite clay-filled aqueous solutions of high-molecular-mass poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been studied. The PEO solution is a typical polymer solution characterized by the highest Newtonian viscosity and the range of non-Newtonian flow. The addition of small amounts of bentonite to the PEO solution causes passage to a viscoplastic behavior that manifests itself as the appearance of the yield stress. Therewith, the flow at the highest Newtonian viscosity in the region of low shear stresses (rather than rates) remains possible. After passing through the yield stress, the effect of antithixotropy, i.e., an increase in the viscosity with the deformation rate in a certain shear rate region, has been observed for the multicomponent systems. The data obtained have been interpreted assuming that the addition of the solid filler to the polymer solution destroys the random network of entanglements between macromolecules, while the presence of the polymer in the clay suspension reduces the strength of the coagulation structure of bentonite.

Synthesis and characterization of clay/polyaniline nanofiber hybrids

AbstractA modified interfacial polymerization was used to prepare polyaniline (PANI) nanohybrids. The influence of the synthetic route, amounts of bentonite, and the surfactant on the structure, morphology, and optical properties of the as‐synthesized nanocomposite were investigated. These materials were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and rheometer. The results show that PANI could be intercalated into the interlayer of the bentonite. The interlayer space increased from 1.25 to 1.486 nm. Then, the hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide was used to modify the surface of bentonite, which was helpful in hybridizing with PANI for its hydrophobic properties. Both the intercalated and coating structure were found in the bentonite/PANI nanohybrid. The TEM and SEM images verified that the surface of the bentonite plate was coated by PANI nanofibers. In addition, for the study of the electroresponsive behavior, the composite was dispersed in silicone oil, and its electrorheological characteristics were examined via both an optical microscope and a rheometer equipped with a high‐voltage power source. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013