Effect of montmorillonite organic modification on microstructures and ultraviolet aging properties of bitumen

The effect of montmorillonite (MMT) organic modification on microstructures and ultraviolet (UV) aging properties of bitumen was investigated. The microstructures of MMT modified bitumen were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The binders were aged by UV radiation. The UV aging properties of MMT modified bitumen was studied by determining physical properties and AFM analysis. XRD and FTIR analyses show that the sodium montmorillonite (Na(+) -MMT) modified bitumen forms a phase-separated structure, whereas the organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) modified bitumen forms an intercalated structure. After Na(+) -MMT modification, the contrast between the matrix and the dispersed domains is inverted according to AFM analysis. However, this contrast inversion is prevented with the introduction of OMMT due to the good compatibility between the OMMT and the bitumen. As a result of UV aging, both viscosity aging index and softening point increment of OMMT modified bitumen are lower than that of the unmodified bitumen and Na(+) -MMT modified bitumen. Furthermore, the association interactions and single-phase trend in OMMT modified bitumen are further prevented in comparison with Na(+) -MMT modified bitumen during UV aging, indicating the good aging resistance of OMMT modified bitumen after organic modification of MMT.