Abstract
The layer charge is perhaps the single most significant characteristic of 2: 1 layer phyllosilicates. Layer charge affects cation-retention capacity and adsorption of water, and various polar organic molecules. The effects of layer charge on the sorptive properties of organo- clays were illustrated by Lee et al. (1990). It is generally agreed that the classification of 2: 1 silicate clays, which is a continuing problem, may be resolved by taking into account the magnitude of the layer charge (Bailey et al., 1971; Malla and Douglas, 1987). Studies on structural chemistry also confirm the importance of the layer charge for the characterization of the 2:1 phyllosilicates (Newman and Brown, 1987).