Iron in reduced charge montmorillonites

Abstract

Reduced charge Camp-Berteau Montmorillonites (R.C.M.) have been studied. The Cation Exchange Capacity (C.E.C.) resulting from these samples with different Li/Na ratios decreased linearly from the original value of about 1 meq/g to 0.6 meq/g. Diffused Li+ ended in octahedral layer nearby Mg2+. Iron was as Fe3+ and mainly in octahedral sites. A small additional quantity of tetrahedral configuration was detected. Only minor modifications on Mossbauer parameters of R.C.M. samples were observed as a consequence of charge reduction.