Abstract: Montmorillonite (MMT) is a natural layer-layer material. The template-directed method was used to assemble the nano-SiO₂-particles within the layers of MMT. And a desulfurizer for gasoline was developed through loading the transition metal oxide on Si/MMT. The modified montmorillonite was characterized by XRD, TG, TEM, FT-IR and N₂ adsorption-desorption. The results of gasoline desulfurization show that nano-particle assembled montmorillonite is an excellent selective adsorbent and its desulfurization ratio is increased by 52% than Na-MMT. The SiO₂ pillared montmorillonite modified with rare earth oxides and transition metal oxides nano-particles shows an excellent heat-stability.

Key words: montmorillonite, template-directed, assemble, gasoline desulfurization