Abstract
We conducted this research to observe the changes of surface morphology and composition of clay minerals influenced by various concentrations of fluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid (HA), a solution of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in water, is a colourless solution that is highly corrosive, capable of dissolving many materials, especially oxides. To do this, we treated several concentrations of HA on the ground soil samples collected from the agricultural experimental station located at Chungnam National University to observe the influence of fluoric acid on the changes of surface structures and elemental composition of clay particles. Generally, microscopic examination showed that the HA can not only attack an edge of clay particles but also start at any point where structural defects and weaknesses predisposed sites to acid. The orderly flake arrangement of clay minerals may reflect certain crystal symmetry elements. The ESEM-EDS results of element composition of clay particles influenced by HA indicated the changes of structures of clay minerals. It is also clear from the formation of etch figures and element composition of clay particles that the product layer at least partially dissolved or disintegrated in the presence of acid. Conclusively, the clay structures can be strongly influenced by concentrations of HA, resulting in changes of physical and chemical properties that can determine the behavior of solute transport as well as mobility of ions in soils.
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