Synthesis, Characterization and Adsorptive Properties of Quaternized 2-Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Based Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites

[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethylhexadecylammonium bromide (QDMA) was synthesized by means of quaternization of 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. Poly(QDMA) and poly(QDMA)-bentonite nanocomposites containing different amount of bentonite were prepared by in situ suspension polymerization and characterized. Adsorption behaviors of these materials towards Acid Orange 8 (AO8) and <i>p</i>-nitrophenol (pNP) were investigated with respect to solution pH. For both adsorbate, adsorption capacities of some nanocomposites were found to be higher than those of bentonite and poly(QDMA). Effects of various parameters such as contact time, initial adsorbate concentration, and temperature on the adsorption of AO8 and pNP onto NC3 from aqueous solutions were also evaluated.