Influencing factors on kaolinite–potassium acetate intercalation complexes

This paper presents an immersion method for preparing the kaolinite–potassium acetate intercalation complexes. The effectiveness of intercalation and influencing factors were analysed and evaluated. The results show that the intercalation of kaolinite by potassium acetate is strongly related to crystallinity of kaolinite, concentration of intercalating agent solution, aging time and pH. The well-crystallized kaolinite is conducive to intercalation by potassium acetate. A higher concentration of intercalating agent (≥ 30%) can complete the intercalation in a short time (< 12 h), but at lower concentrations intercalation took significantly longer (≥ 144 h). The weak alkaline condition of pH = 10 proved to be the most suitable environment for the formation of intercalation complex. A good intercalated complex can be obtained at room temperature.