Irreversible Collapse of Montmorillonite

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Abstract
A number of variable charge montmorillonites were prepared. One portion of each sample was extracted with ammonium chloride, while a second portion was first saturated with calcium chloride, washed, and then extracted with ammonium chloride. In both cases, the number of cations displaced by ammonium chloride was determined. The number of calcium ions displaced from Ca-saturated samples was higher than the sum of the number of lithium and calcium ions displaced from Li, Ca-mixed samples. The differences, increasing towards Li-rich end of the series are assumed to be due to protons liberated from the reaction of lithium ions with either structural hydroxyl groups or residual water molecules, as has been shown by other investigators. Supplementary X-ray and i.r. data lend support to this idea.