Improving the procedure for obtaining organophilic clays

This study was realized in order to improve the way to obtain organoclays using clay from clay a local industry. Thus, factors not yet well understood in regard to organoclays were optimized and elucidated in this work. In the preparation of organoclays, a sodium bentonite, from the Bentonit Uniao Nordeste-Campina Grande/PB, was purified and organically modified with quaternary ammonium salt, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (Cetrimide), using different conditions of preparation (time of mixing and content of organic surfactant). For purposes of comparison it was used also a commercial sodium montmorillonite (Cloisite Na+), supplied by Southern Clay Products. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X ray diffraction (XRD) data indicated that organoclays more thermally stable and with better cost/benefit ratio can be prepared using the lowest mixing time (30 min) and the lowest amount of surfactant (equivalent to 100% of CEC of clay). (author)