In situ SAXS studies of the structural changes of sepiolite clay and sepiolite-carbon composites with temperature

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies have been conducted to monitor the structural changes of sepiolite clay upon heating. The samples were heated first under nitrogen to establish the temperature at which pure sepiolite folds. Then, propylene was incorporated into the sepiolite channels and carbonized in situ. SAXS results indicate that the incorporation of carbon raises the structural stability of sepiolite in that the folding temperature increases from 465°C to near 550°C.