Morphology of clay deposited by evaporation of visually clear aqueous phases from clay-water suspensions

Abstract

The residues remaining after drying of visually clear colloidal sols from natural river water and artificially prepared suspensions of Source Clays were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Fractal-like patterns in which 60° or 120° geometry is prominent are observed in some kaoliniterich residues. Illite dried to form clusters of tiny crystals. Montmorillonite residues were “corn flake” or branch-like in texture. Both the clay mineral and dissolved substances in the liquid affect the geometry of the dried residue.