Organically modified phyllosilicates (montmorillonite and palygorskite) using Arquad 2HT-75 surfactant were effectively synthesized utilizing a microwave irradiation technique. The microwave method was successfully used also for the surface decoration of raw montmorillonite clays with metal (Ag, Fe) nano-particles. The composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy; x-ray diffraction; energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Compared to the conventional thermal process, the synthesis under microwave conditions was more effective, faster and environmental friendly. The antimicrobial properties of the microwave synthesized metal-clay samples against Gram-negative bacteria, ie, Escherichia coli were also investigated.
Reference:
Pillai, S.K. et al. 2012. Microwave assisted organic modification and surface functionalization of Phyllosilicates. In: Composites and Nanocomposites in Civil, Offshore and Mining Infrastructure (ACUN6), Melbourne, Australia, 14-16 November 2012
Kesavan Pillai, S., Moyo, L., Ray, S. S., & Scriba, M. R. (2012). Microwave assisted organic modification and surface functionalization of Phyllosilicates. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6705
Kesavan Pillai, Sreejarani, Lumbidzani Moyo, Suprakas S Ray, and Manfred R Scriba. "Microwave assisted organic modification and surface functionalization of Phyllosilicates." (2012): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6705
Kesavan Pillai S, Moyo L, Ray SS, Scriba MR, Microwave assisted organic modification and surface functionalization of Phyllosilicates; 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6705 .