Exfoliation of montmorillonite using a simple and low-cost heating/gasifying method

In recent times, the challenges during the exfoliation of silicate minerals with three-dimensional layered structures have posed an environmental threat in the preparation of montmorillonite (MMT). In this work, MMT was successfully exfoliated using a simple and low-cost heating/gasifying method. The degree of exfoliation, and morphology of exfoliated MMT were studied using ultra-high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. From the result, the best exfoliating effect was achieved when the heating temperature was 100 °C and under three gasification cycles. Thus, this method can be considered a great potential for large-scale production of exfoliated MMT nanosheets as additives for ceramic substrates and membrane technology.