Abstract

Montmorillonite (MMT) has been modified with a long chain quaternary ammonium salt through a cation exchange reaction. The extent of the exchange was characterised by XRD (X-ray Diffraction), FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and by the determination of CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity).The results prove that alkylammonium ions have taken the place of Na+ ions in Na+ – Montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and that the inter-laminar distance has been enlarged.

The possibility of using Na-MMT and organic-montmorillonite (O-MMT) in the treatment of wastewater from tanneries by utilizing their adsorption properties has been studied. The result shows that Na-MMT and O-MMT can absorb fatliquors to a certain extent.

A series of tanning experiments have been carried out to compare the tanning properties of Na-MMT, O-MMT and O-MMT/Cr3+, The results suggest that Na-MMT and O-MMT have some tanning capability, and that the composite O-MMT/Cr3+ with a very low content of Cr3+ can produce leather of light colour with a shrinkage temperature above 90ºC.