Hybrid lamellar nanocomposites based on organically functionalized magnesium phyllosilicate clays with interlayer reactivity

A series of layered magnesium phyllo(organo)silicate nanocomposites that contain covalently linked organic functionalities have been prepared by a one-step, direct synthesis procedure. Organoclays with allyl, epoxy, imidazole or ethylenediamino functionalities were synthesized and characterized by XRD, TEM, FTIR and solid state 29Si and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The epoxy-functionalized nanocomposite undergoes in situ cross-linking reactions with m-phenylenediamine to produce a polymer-inorganic lamellar hybrid, as well as ring-opening reactions with methyl thioglycolate to give a covalently linked hydroxysulfide derivative. The ethylenediamino-functionalized magnesium phyllo(organo)silicate showed good binding capacity for aqueous CoII.