Distinguishing Kaolinites and Smectite Clays from Central and Eastern Uganda Using Acidity, pH, Colour and Composition

Abstract

The Langmuir isotherms of 1-aminobutane in isohexane slurries showed increase in clay acidity with increase in concentration of mineral acid used to leach the clay as well as the temperature at which the clay was thermally activated prior to experimentation involving adsorption of 1-aminobutane. The values of acidity for Central Uganda were low ranging from 0.07 mol/g to 0.32 mol/g yet those for clays from Eastern Uganda were high ranging from 0.1 mol/g to 1.85 mol/g. Based on acidity, pH, elemental and mineral compositions, the clays from Central Uganda were found to be kaolinites or halloysites, yet Eastern Uganda clays were resolved to contain nontronite and kaolinite.