Rehydroxylation in smectites and other clay minerals observed in-situ with a modified thermogravimetric system

摘要

Dehydroxylation-rehydroxylation experiments were performed on various dioctahedral aluminous 2:1 layer clay minerals using the precise thermogravimetry (TG) system equipped with a continuous N-2 gas flow enriched with H2O vapor of controlled concentration. The setup and rehydroxylation conditions applied are specifically sensitive to study in-situ rehydroxylation of smectites with various octahedral compositions and vacancy, saturated with counterions in various sizes and valences. Under the conditions applied, the pyrophyllite structure does not rehydroxylate, illite shows a minor ability to rehydroxylate, and smectites present an entire range of potential rehydroxylation, from remaining in the completely dehydroxylated state to an almost complete rebuild of the octahedral sheet.