Efficient preparation of kaolinite/methanol intercalation composite by using a Soxhlet extractor

Kaolinite/methanol intercalation composite (KMe) is a key precursor for preparing clay-based inorganic/organic hybrid materials and kaolinite nanoscrolls. However, synthesis of KMe is a time and methanol dissipative process and the complexity of this process also limits its further applications. In this study, Soxhlet extractor was introduced to synthesize an intercalation composite and KMe was efficiently synthesized in a Soxhlet extractor through a continuous displacement process by using kaolinite/DMSO intercalation composite (KD) as a precursor. The formation process of kaolinite/methanol intercalation composite was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results showed that the DMSO in kaolinite could be completely displaced by methanol in this process and the preparation of KMe could be completed in 8 hours, which was far faster than the reported methods. Moreover, methanol used in this process could be recycled. Furthermore, the resulting material could be successfully used to prepare kaolinite nanoscrolls in high yield.