Mineralogical and Chemical Characterizations of Natural Clays from NW Cameroon

摘要

In this study physical and chemical characterization of seven clay samples from Cameroon is reported. The various analysis show that the main clay mineral in all samples is smectite with a small amount of kaolinite; some non clay minerals as cristobalite, K-feldspars, plagioclase, ilmenite and quartz are also present. The Cation Exchange Capacities range from 24.2 to 62.0 meq/100g. The specific surface area range from 58 to 123 m2/g. The chemical composition of the clays is dominated by SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 whereas MgO and Na2O are present only in small quantities.