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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 July 2024
Ethylenediamine (EDA) is adsorbed from aqueous solution on Na-, K- and Li-montmorillonite as the monoprotonated cation (EDAH+) through an ion-exchange process. On washing with distilled water the second amine function is protonated—probably through dissociation of water near the clay surface—and simultaneously formed alkali hydroxide is removed.
In air-dried clay films, prepared from unwashed suspensions, EDA is retained mainly through hydrogen-bonding with water co-ordinated to the exchangeable cation.
EDA adsorbed from the vapour phase is retained through co-ordination, either direct or indirect (i.e. through a ‘water-bridge’), depending on the hydration properties of the exchangeable cation. Indirect coordination increases the stability of the amino-clay complex against atmospheric humidity and heating in vacuum in the order K+ < Na+ < Li+.
Upon heating co-ordinated EDA is almost completely desorbed, whereas EDAH+ and EDAH22+ decompose above 160°C to form NH4+.