Abstract
Microstructural features of crystal surfaces of the silicate minerals muscovite, margarite, montmorillonite, beidellite, and kaolinite have been investigated by studying the way in which gold atoms, deposited from the vapor phase, coalesce on these surfaces. Although detailed interpretation of the experimental data is in some cases open to speculation, the results obtained from these investigations show marked differences between the surface structures of the different silicate minerals and reveal microstructural features which would be difficult to detect by any other means. It would seem that this experimental technique can be used to obtain quantitative information concerning the composition of silicate surfaces provided the precautions are taken to preclude postdepositional migration and coalescence of the metal particles. The coalescence of gold particles partially embedded in a carbon film is promoted by aqueous salt solutions and acids. This phenomenon imposes serious practical restrictions on the way in which this type of study can be carried out in order to obtain quantitative surface structural information and does not seem to have been taken into account in many previous experimental investigations.
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