Langmuir, Vol.19, No.9, 3578-3582, 2003
Variation of electron-donating ability of smectites as probed by photoreduction of methyl viologen
The preparation of methyl viologen-smectite (synthetic saponite, Sumecton SA; synthetic hectorite, Laponite XLG; and natural montmorillonite, Kunipia F) intercalation compounds and the photoinduced electron transfer from smectite to methyl viologen were investigated. UV-vis and electron spin resonance spectra revealed that the methyl viologen intercalated in Sumecton SA and Laponite were photoionized by UV irradiation while photochemical reduction of methyl viologen did not occur in the interlayer space of Kunipia F, indicating that Surnecton SA and Laponite acted as electron donors.