Effect of Li+ stabilization on smectite intercalate properties

Abstract

Smectites are widely used minerals whose structure and properties can be modified and controlled. The aim of this study was to improve the sorption capacity and accessibility of interlayer (interpacket) spaces by reducing the pillar density in Chmielnik smectite. The micropore volume increases by increasing one of their dimensions, which is determined as the distance between pillars. This aim was achieved by lowering the resultant packet charge. Changes in intercalate structure and microporosity were studied using X-ray diffractometry and Ar sorption at–196°C. The Li/Na smectite ratio is crucial for modifying the smectite properties, particularly those associated with mineral microporosity. The behavior of the samples with the same interlayer cation composition exhibited two distinct trends. The first one is a decrease in the specific surface value (volume of micropores) accompanied by an increase in the amount of Li in the ion interlayer composition. The second one is a decline in the specific surface (volume of micropores) when the calcination temperature rises.