Synthesis and adsorption properties of smectite-like materials prepared using ionic liquids

Smectite-like materials were synthesized using different mono-cationic and di-cationic ionic liquids. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Pore volume and pore diameter were tailored by varying the carbon chain length of the ionic liquid. The adsorption behavior of these synthetic smectite materials was studied with tetracycline in aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity strongly depended on the texture: adsorption of tetracycline can be controlled by the pore volume. The reported synthesis is suitable as a direct route for the preparation of nanocrystalline smectite materials which act as suitable matrixes for biomolecule adsorption.