Smectites, cation exchange capacity

Fig. 6. Uptake of benzene from water by various smectites exchanged with trimethylphenylammonium (TMPA) ions (cf. Fig. 2). Numbers in brackets refer to the cation exchange capacities of the smectites, (cf. Fig. 4). After Jaynes and Boyd (1991b).

Another type of reaction that responds to WD cycles is the fixation of K and NH4 ions by smectite (3-7). The fixation of K in smectite has been studied extensively by soil scientists because of its effect on the availability of plant nutrients. The reaction also decreases smectite s ability to swell, decreases its cation exchange capacity (CEC), and modifies its BrjSnsted acidity. Therefore, an understanding of this phenomenon is applicable to many fields of study that are concerned with swelling clays, fields such as soil fertility, soil mechanics, waste disposal, clay catalysis, and the geochemistry of ground and surface waters. 

XRD) and chemical extraction procedures, that much of the observed cation exchange capacity (CEC) arises from smectite impurities, the external surface CEC of kaollnite ranging from 0-1 meq/100 g. 

The smectite group of clay minerals is also poorly crystalline but perhaps better known because of their cation exchange capacity and their occurrence in the bentonite clays. A general formula for montmorillonite, which is one of the dioctahedral smectites is... 

Zeolite surface chemistry resembles that of smectite clays. In contrast to clays, however, natural zeolites can occur as millimeter- or greater-sized particles and are free of shrink-swell behavior. As a result, zeolites exhibit superior hydraulic characteristics and are suitable for use in filtration systems (Breck 1974) and as permeable barriers to dissolved chemical migration. Internal and external surface areas up to 800 m2 g have been measured. Total cation exchange capacities in natural zeolites vary from 250 to 3000 meq kg 1 (Ming and Mumpton 1989). External cation exchange capacities have been determined for a few natural zeolites and typically range from 10 to 50 percent of the total cation exchange capacity (Bowman et al. 1995). 

Note CEC = cation exchange capacity HISM = hydroxyinterlayered smectite HIV = hydroxyinterlayered vermiculite Kf = Freundlich metal distribution coefficients LSB = lime stabilized biosolids = total aluminosilicates. 

The similar structure of illite and smectite allows mixing or interstratification of 2 1 units to form mixed-layer clays. Most illites and smectites are interstrati-fied to a small degree, but they are not classified as such until detectable by X-ray diffraction. As one might expect, illite-smectite mixed-layer clays have intermediate cation exchange capacity between the end-member compositions. 

The interaction between some organic contaminants and mineral surfaces has recently attracted attention as a way of cleaning up contaminants in natural waters. The large cation exchange capacity of smectite clay minerals (Section 4.5.2), in particular, has prompted research into their use as a catalyst, i.e. a substance that alters the rate of a chemical reaction without itself changing. Clay catalysts have potential applications as adsorbents to treat contaminated natural waters or soils. 

The cation exchange capacity of clays results from lattice imperfections or defects, isomorphous substitutions, and/or broken bonds on clay particle surfaces. Explain how the CEC s of kaolinite, the smectites, and illite, and their variation with pH, reflect these sources of their surface charge. 

Smectite clays have three important properties related to catalytic activity, intercalation, swelling and cation exchange capacity. When smectites are immersed in water, both intercalation of water molecules and swelling occur. The suspended clay can also freely exchange its interlayer cations for other cations in solution. Interlayer water molecules are dissociated producing protons and exhibit Bronsted acidity (Reaction l).8... 

Chemical Properties. An important chemical property of clays, which directly affects fines migration is the cation exchange capacity (CEC) (6-9). CEC is a measure of the capacity of a clay to exchange cations. It is usually reported in units of milliequivalents per 100 g of clay (meq/100 g). The CEC depends on the concentration of exchangeable cations in the diffuse Gouy-Chapman layer (see later). This concentration depends on the total particle charge, which may vary with pH. Unless stated otherwise, the reported values of CEC are measured at neutral pH. CEC values (meq/lOOg) of common clay minerals are as follows smectites, 80-150 vermiculites, 120-200 illites, 10-40 kaolinite, 1-10 and chlorite, <10 (10). 

K = kandites, / = illites, S = smectites. Capitals denote major components. Cation exchange capacity. 

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