Effect Of The Preparation Conditions On Potassium Acetate-Intercalated Metakaolinite Composites

A useful and desirable method of preparing intercalated composites as an intermediate is to directly Intercalate potassium acetate into metakaolinite by grinding method. The effects of grinding times, potassium acetate content and heat treatment on the direct intercalation of potassium acetate into metakaolinite were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD shows that the intensity of the characteristic peak of metakaolinite decreases with heat treatment and increase of grinding times and potassium acetate content. TEM shows that the clay platelets of metakaolinite are delaminated after Intercalation of potassium acetate. These results indicate that heating and increase of grinding times and potassium acetate content can be most beneficial for the intercalation of potassium acetate into metakaolinite, and result in the exfoliation of metakaolinite layers.