Patent ID: 8470727

Claim:
A method for preparing a zinc carboxylate clay, comprising: a) mixing (i) a zinc source comprising a zinc ammonia carbonate solution with (ii) a cation-exchangeable clay having a cation exchange capacity of from 50 milliequivalents per 100° rams of clay to about 150 milliequivalents per 100 grams of clay to form a zinc-containing cation exchangeable clay; b) mixing (i) a carboxylic acid or an ammonium salt of the carboxylic acid with (ii) the zinc-containing cation exchangeable clay to form a zinc-carboxylic acid clay composition, wherein at least 50 milliequivalents of zinc per 100 grams of the zinc-containing cation exchangeable clay are insoluble in an aqueous solution of ammonia and carbon dioxide; c) milling the zinc-carboxylic acid clay composition; d) heating the zinc-carboxylic acid clay composition under conditions sufficient to intercalate the carboxylic acid into the zinc-containing cation exchangeable clay and form the zinc carboxylate clay; and e) optionally milling the zinc carboxylate clay.