The Effect of Surfactants on the Suspension Property of Organically Modified Sepiolite in Non-Aqueous Systems

A new type of organophilic clay gallant was discovered in which the organic cations derived from organic salt compounds provide improved gelling properties in organic solvents. It was discovered that that the tail length of the surfactants can affect the suspension property of organically modified sepiolite significantly. Furthermore, it has been discovered that surfactant CTAB has stronger suspension properties than the other three surfactants, accompanying with an 80% suspension value. The present research provides an improved, more efficient organophilic clay gellant for gelling or thickening non-aqueous solvent-based compositions. Besides, the results of SEM demonstrate that the introduction of CTAB is favorable to the dispersion of sepiolite fibers, leading to a better suspension value of sepiolite suspensions. Besides, FTIR spectra analysis indicate that the formation of hydrogen-bonding during the adsorption of surfactant molecules onto the sepiolite particles.