Intercalation ability of hydrolysed aluminium species in n-alkylmonoamine α-zirconium phosphate compounds

Abstract

The intercalation of hydrolysed Al species in the n-alkylmonoamine α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) structure was performed. A similar synthesis procedure and the same Al solutions as for the preparation of Al-PILCs (pillared interlayered clays) were used. However, no intercalation of the Al Keggin ion [AlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂]⁷⁺ in the α-ZrP structure occurred. It was demonstrated that the nature of the intercalated ions depends strongly on the competitive ions present in the Al solution and on the reaction or exchange temperature. We could prove that the lack of the Keggin ion intercalation is due to its inaccessibility in the interlayer space and not to its decomposition upon intercalation. Alternative synthesis methods using different amine–ZrP intercalates did not promote the Keggin ion intercalation.