EPR study of paramagnetic defects in clay minerals

Abstract

Radiation induced defects (RID-s) and transition metal ion impurities were revealed by EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy in kaolinites from a number of Polish deposits. Arelationship between the intensity of the EPR signals of the RID-s and quantity of radioactive elements was defined in these minerals. In one of the deposits of kaolinites (Wyszonowice) the EPR signal intensity depends on grain size. Other clay minerals studied (illites, montmorillonites) only show weak signals of the RID type.