| Abstract: | Polymer/montmorillonite complexes were prepared via intercalating polymers of low molecular weight into layers of montmorillonite and evaluated for their interactions with rosin acid. Three polymers from various amines modified by epichlorohydrin and an acidified diethylenetriamine were separately intercalated into montmorillonite via direct solution intercalation. X-ray diffraction patterns are performed to obtain information about the intercalation of these agents. The examination revealed that it was feasible for the direct intercalation of polymers, while hard for the unmodified diethylenetriamine. Adsorption isotherm curves were established to assess the efficiency of the various montmorillonites including the intercalated montmorillonites, the simple mixtures of the corresponding intercalation agents and ordinary montmorillonite in removing pitch from water solution. From the adsorption behavior of various samples, it was found that the interaction of the montmorillonite with pitch was not only through van der Waals attraction, but also through electrostatic interactions. Both the organo-philic and the surface electrostatic properties of the montmorillonites are important for successful pitch control. |
