Preparation and characterization of kaolinite-pNA intercalation compound

A kaolinite-para nitroaniline intercalation compound was prepared by displacement method using a kaolinite-methanol intercalation compound as an intermediate. The product was characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The basal spacing of kaolinite-para nitroaniline intercalation compound was 1. 48nm. The apparent intercalation of the product was 81.0%. The IR spectrum of the kaolinite-para nitroaniline intercalation compound indicated the presence of hydrogen bonding between the inner-surface hydroxyls of the kaolinite and the nitro groups of para nitroanilines, meanwhile between the siloxane oxygen and the amino groups of para nitroanilines. On the basis of the basal spacing of the kaolinite para nitroaniline intercalation compound, the para nitroanilines appeared to be in an approximately perpendicular position, with the nitro groups of para nitroanilines facing the gibbsitic sheets.