Surfactant Molecules Intercalated in Laponite as Studied by 13C and 29Si MAS NMR

The structure and dynamics of surfactant molecules intercalated in Laponite have been characterized by solid-state 13 C NMR relaxation times and 13 C- and 29 Si-detected proton relaxation times. These results are compared to similar data obtained for a surfactant intercalated in montmorillonite and for different mesoporous materials. As compared with montmorillonite clay, a higher mobility and a greater percentage of the gauche conformation of the surfactant molecules are found in Laponite. The 29 Si-detected proton relaxation times in the rotating frame are sensitive to the amount of intercalated surfactant.