The gelation of aqueous bentonite dispersions by organic ammonium ions

The treatment of bentonite clay sols with the salts of amines and aminoalcohols containing not more than 6 carbon atoms gives gels of hydrophilic organic ammonium bentonites. The gels, e.g. 3 wt.-% methylammonium bentonite, ethylammonium bentonite and triethanolammonium bentonite in water, have plastic rheology and high yield values which depend on the nature of the organic substituents. Use of these organic derivatives of bentonite offers a means of gelling aqueous systems alternative to the use of the purified montmorillonite clays.