Ultrasonic Intercalation of Gold Nanoparticles into Clay Matrix in the Presence of Surface-Active Materials. Part I: Neutral Polyethylene Glycol

The combined application of polyethylene glycol and ultrasonic irradiation has been investigated as a possible method to synthesize intercalated Au/clay nanocomposites. Twenty minutes Of ultrasonic irradiation oil the Na(+)-montmorillonite clay matrix in the presence of polyethylene glycol suffices to introduce polymer molecules into the lamellar space of the clay, increasing the basal distance between clay layers. Additional ultrasonic treatment allowed the successful replacement of the intercalated polyethylene glycol by gold nanoparticles within the interlamellar space. The incorporation of gold nanoparticles in the clay matrix under ultrasound is twice as efficient with PEG as without it. Eventually, spherical-shaped gold nanoparticles of 6-8 nm diameter spread homogeneously within the nanocomposites. The structures of the produced nanocomposites have been studied by small and wide-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, BET, Fourier transform infrared measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis.