Ion-exchanged montmorillonite-rich materials (ca. 96% purity) like NaMt, Fe(II)Mt, Co(II)Mt, Ni(II)Mt and Cu(II)Mt showed catalytic activity in the ozonation of oxalic acid in water at room temperature, in the pH range 3.4–6.0. The conversion of oxalic acid exceeds 95% after 180 min of ozone bubbling in the presence of Fe(II)Mt. The oxalic acid removal efficiency was found to increase swiftly with the acid character of the clay surface up to a

Microporous organo-montmorillonites (organo-Mt) bearing weak base OH sites were prepared through montmorillonite intercalation with polyol dendrimers at different proportions (0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mass%). These materials turned out to be suitable for the reversible capture of carbon dioxide, inasmuch as high amount (0.5–2.5 mmol/g organo-Mt) of CO2 can be retained, and easy regeneration can be achieved upon slight heating up to 100 °C. The CO2 retention

Distribution of the acid-base strengths of various ion-exchanged montmorillonites was assessed through thermal programmed desorption (TPD) of NH3 and CO2. Accurate acid-base measurements can be achieved via deconvolution of perfectly symmetrical peaks, under optimal carrier gas throughput and heating rate, estimated though a factorial experiment design. No neutral clay samples without interactions with carbon dioxide or ammonia were found. All clay

Metal cations were removed from water by coagulation-flocculation of the chitosan-montmorillonite system. Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ were used as probe cations. It was found that both chitosan and montmorillonite contribute to the metal ion removal, when used separately, and that coagulation-flocculation strongly depends on the pH and composition of the liquid medium. When used simultaneously, chitosan and montmorillonite displayed a synergy phenomenon,

Together with the volcanism and the floods, the earthquakes are the greatest natural catastrophes which cause terrible damages and human losses. In his book "Natural issues" the famous philosopher Seneca mentioned: "All dangers have a cure, and we can keep away from all of them, the lighting did never destroy entire populations, the plague depopulated the cities, but did not destroy them. But the catastrophe of the earthquakes is the most spread