Halder, Smriti and Dana, Kausik (2025) Efficient Removal of Harmful Organic Molecules by Partly-intercalated Montmorillonite Clay. In: International Conference on Research Advancements and Industrial Challenges in Glass and Ceramics (RACGC 2025) , November 27-29, 2026, IIT Bombay, Mumbai. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The widespread use of agrochemicals in modern agriculture has raised serious environmental concerns due to their accumulation in soil and aquatic ecosystems. To address this issue, the present study focuses on enhancing adsorption performance towards hazardous agrochemicals by modifying purified Indian montmorillonite clay through intercalation with a long-chain quaternary ammonium surfactant, dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride (DDAC). Two representative compounds were selected: imidacloprid, a neutral neonicotinoid insecticide, and paraquat dichloride, a highly water-soluble and toxic di-cationic herbicide. Organo-montmorillonite adsorbents were prepared with varying DDAC loadings from sub-cation exchange capacity (CEC) to full CEC levels to examine the effect of intercalation degree on adsorption behaviour. Comprehensive characterization of pristine and modified clays was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess changes in interlayer spacing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to evaluate thermal stability and organic content, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm functional group interactions. Results demonstrate successful intercalation of DDAC into clay galleries, leading to a significant increase in basal spacing and alteration of surface chemistry. Adsorption studies reveal that adsorption performance correlates strongly with the degree of intercalation. Furthermore, the ionic nature of the pesticide molecules significantly influences adsorption affinity: paraquat, being di-cationic, exhibits strong electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged clay surface, while imidacloprid shows weaker adsorption, likely governed by van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions due to its neutral charge. A plausible adsorption mechanism is proposed, highlighting the interplay between adsorbate polarity, surface charge, and interlayer structure. This research contributes to the development of environmentally sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent materials for the removal of hazardous agricultural contaminants from water systems.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Subjects:	Refractories
Divisions:	Refractory
Depositing User:	Ms Upasana Sahu
Date Deposited:	12 May 2026 17:02
Last Modified:	12 May 2026 17:02
URI:	https://cgcri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/5812

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