INTERCALATION AND PILLARING OF ZIRCONIUM BIS(MONOHYDROGENPHOSPHATE) WITH NH2(CH2)3SI(OC2H5)3

Intercalation and pillaring of zirconium bis(monohydrogenphosphate) (alpha-ZrP) with 3-[(triethoxy)silyl]-1-propylamine, NH2(CH2)3Si(OC2H5)3, was investigated by using XRD, FTIR, MAS NMR, chemical analysis, and adsorption measurements. The organosilicon compound undergoes polymerization and the cationic dimers and trimers formed are intercalated into the interlayer space of alpha-ZrP. Further polymerization occurs by dehydroxylation of the OH groups attached to the Si atoms during the intercalation. Pillaring with a silica-like species occurs at about 400-degrees-C after decomposition of the organic moiety of the intercalate. Pillared alpha-ZrP is stable to over 700-degrees-C and can sorb species such as n-hexane.