Background: Amphoteric membranes such as Titania Pillared Clay (TiPILC) membranes exhibit different charges at different pH ranges, subsequently show efficient separation for cationic and anionic organic pollutants in wastewater based on solution pH. The structural properties of such membranes determine their permeability and selectivity to a large extent. The present work is initiated to explore the possibility of enhancing the surface area of TiPILC membranes by grafting with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.Method: Grafted TiPILC membranes were fabricated by colloidal sol- gel route followed by dip coating, drying and sintering the membranes at 300oC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the pillared photocatalyst membranes show the presence of only anatase phase, which exhibits better photocatalytic activity. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra reveal the formation of delaminated TiPILC material. The specific surface area of TiPILC membrane obtained at pH3.5 is 183m2/g.Results: Literature survey of 47 papers was carried out for the work. 10 papers were based on patents being dealt on degradation of organic dyes in wastewater by conventional methods, though reports of membrane technology are limited in literature. The rest 37 papers outlined the importance of widespread use of titania photocatalyst powder for degradation studies.Conclusion: The membrane material thus developed is efficient in complete decolouration of both Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange dyes on account of the high surface charge and high surface area in just one cycle of filtration.

Materials with small particle size are being extensively used in composites and hybrid materials. Exfoliated clay-polymer hybrids show enhanced properties. Exfoliation of clay platelets can be affected by selecting dispersing agents. In the present work, clay dispersed by natural dispersant (soap stone powder), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) dispersed clay and acid clay (amorphous clay) are taken. They are then polymerized with poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) by solution intercalation method. The thermal stability of these different clay-PMMA hybrids have been studied and compared with that of pure PMMA by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The bonding of clay with PMMA has been studied by IR. Morphology of clay-PMMA hybrids has been shown by SEM and XRD which indicate partially exfoliated structure in T606-4 and intercalated structures in T606-6 and T606-2.

The modern trend is to prepare hybrid material using nano clay. Formation of nano clay, an exfoliated clay, and proper dispersion in a polymer matrix remains a challenge. The green composite so formed by clay polymer mixing has many improved properties such as high Tg (glass transition temperature), high flame resistance, high tensile strength, and improved barrier properties, which may find application in textile industry, automobile industry, environmental and polymer engineering field.

Solid acids have become increasingly important for many liquid-phase industrial reactions these days. Montmorillonite clays (2:1 clay mineral) have been used as efficient solid acid catalysts for a number of organic and liquid phase reactions and offer several advantages over classic acids. Tailor made catalysts can be prepared from clays by suitably adjusting their acidity and surface area by acid activation. In the present work, preparation, characterization and performance of Pt (II) clays, Cu (II) clays, acid clay, and sol-gel hybrids of Cu (II) clays as solid catalysts in a test Friedel-Craft alkylation reaction of benzyl chloride with toluene using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) are reported. Product formation has been analysed by FTIR spectroscopy. The main objective of this work is to show how clay as a solid catalyst affects reaction rates and activation energies. Acidity and dispersion of solid catalysts are two main factors which govern a catalysis reaction. Kinetic parameter analysis and XRD studies confirm that acid Pt (II) clay and Pt (II) clay dispersed by natural dispersants are more effective catalysts. In contrast to the reactions using AlCl 3 , the experimental conditions are non-polluting and the final work up does not require any aqueous treatment.

Titania pillared clay membranes exhibit unique charge characteristics which are dependent on the solution pH. Doping of such membranes with precious metal like Pt induces a positive charge on the surface of the membranes, thus increasing its resistance against fouling. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirm the complete intercalation of anatase titania in the interlayer spaces of Montmorillonite in the present work. These membranes efficiently removed 83% of the dye from the real textile effluent in a one filtration cycle.