ARAÚJO, Suelene Silva.; SILVA, Suédina Maria Lima.
Abstract:
This study was conducted in order to improve the technique to obtain organoclays. Therefore, factors
not yet well understood in regard to organoclays were evaluated and elucidated in this work. Thus, a
predominantly sodium bentonite, from Bentonit União Nordeste-Campina Grande/PB, was purified to
remove organic contaminants with the purpose of improving the process of intercalation with organic
surfactants. The natural and purified bentonites were modified with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide
(C) and modified hexadecyl tributyl fosfônio bromide (CF) using different conditions of preparation
(time, type and content of surfactant). To compare the results obtained in this study with those
reported in the literature, a commercial sodium montmorillonite, Closite Na+, supplied by Southern
Clay Products-Texas/EUA was also used. The organoclays obtained were incorporated into PET by
melt process. The prepared samples were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray
diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Is evidenced according to results that the
purification treatment, the type of surfactant and the conditions of preparation of the organophilic clay
influenced the morphology and characteristics of the clays and the nanocomposites prepared.