The Modification of Hydroxyl Surfaces of Formamide-Intercalated Kaolinites Synthesized by Controlled Rate Thermal Analysis

Controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) technology made possible the separation of adsorbed formamide from intercalated formamide in formamide-intercalated kaolinites. X-ray diffraction shows that the CRTA-treated formamide-intercalated kaolinites remain expanded after CRTA treatment. The Raman spectra of the CRTA-treated formamide-intercalated kaolinites are significantly different from those of the intercalated kaolinites with both intercalated and adsorbed formamide. An intense band is observed at 3629 cm−1, attributed to the inner surface hydroxyls hydrogen bonded to the formamide. Broad bands are observed at 3600 and 3639 cm−1 and are attributed to the inner surface hydroxyls, which are hydrogen bonded to the adsorbed water molecules. The hydroxyl stretching band of the inner hydroxyl is readily observed at 3621 cm−1 in the Raman spectra of the CRTA-treated formamide-intercalated kaolinites. The results of thermal analysis show that the amount of intercalated formamide between the kaolinite layers is independent of the presence of water. The Raman bands of the formamide in the CRTA-treated intercalated kaolinites are readily observed.