**3. Characterization**

Understanding the structure of organoclays is essential for their practical applications. Consequently, after the synthesis of organoclay, the verification of the intercalation of surfactant in the inter-layer space of the clay by comparison before and after intercalation is essential. In literature, various characterization methods were used on the original clays and the organo-modified clays to get information on structure, expansion capacity, layer charge, pore size, crystallite size, charge distribution and pore distribution. The indispensable methods for characterization are X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and determination of physic-chemical properties (CEC, area-specific, pHpzc … etc.).
