The pillaring solution of Ti–PILC was prepared by adding TiCl4
into a 1M HCl solution under vigorous stirring. The mixture was
then diluted with deionized water to reach final Ti and HCl concentration
of 0.82M and 0.11 M, respectively This solution was
stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The pillaring solution was
then dropped to the aqueous clay suspension until the final Ti/clay
rates of 2.5, 10 and 40 mmol/g were obtained. After stirring for 24 h,
the mixture was separated by filtration and the precipitate was
washed with deionized water several times. Finally, the sample was
dried at 120 ◦C for 12 h and calcined at 500 ◦C for 5 h. The chemical
composition (wt.%) of prepared Ti-PILC supports