Transformation of the montmorillonite structure and its adsorption properties due to the thermochemical treatment

Abstract

Complex studies revealed changes in the composition, structure, and properties of bentonite clays from the Taganskoye (Kazakhstan) and Dashkovskoe (Moscow region) deposits due to the thermochemical treatment. The leaching of cations from the interlayer and octahedral positions, protonation of the interlayer and OH-groups, leads to modification of the interlayer and 2:1 layer composition, which in turn contributes to significant changes in properties:-a decrease in the cation exchange capacity due to a decrease in the layer charge and increase in the specific surface due to destruction and partial amorphization. Bentonites from the Dashkovskoye deposit demonstrated higher resistance to thermochemical treatment than the bentonites from the Taganskoye deposit due to the protecting effect of the organic matter. Results of the work showed that even after quite intensive thermochemical treatment (13M HNO3, 90 °C, 5 hours), bentonite clays retain a significant part of the adsorption capacity.