Bentonite clay, mainly composed by montmorillonite that provides the physical properties, concentrates the majority of the national reserve (62%) in the Paraíba State. The transformation of bentonite clay to organoclay is made with a simple laboratory procedure and this modification can be obtained by cation (Na+ or Ca2+) exchange reaction that are present on the surface and in the interlayer space of the mineral clays by quaternary ammonium salts. In this, the organoclays bentonite were preparedwith four different types of quaternary ammonium salts such as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (Dodigen), esthearildimethylammonium chloride (Praepagen), cethyltrimethylammonium chloride (Genamin) and cethyltrimethylammonium bromide (Cetremide). The organoclays were characterized by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis and X-ray fluorescence. The results showed that the salts were incorporated in the clay structure, confirming the organophilization. The Praepagen and Cetremide salts presented a higher range of thermal stability.
organoclay bentonite; quaternary ammonium salts; thermal stability
