Characterization and Pillaring of a Turkish Bentonite (Resadiye)

Abstract

The shifts of the Si{single bond}O{single bond}Si stretching and the Si{single bond}O{single bond}Al and Si{single bond}O{single bond}Si bending modes, as well as the free silica peak in the IR spectra and the strengthening of the XRD reflections due to the quartz and α-cristobalite components of the Al-pillared bentonites (Wyoming and Resadiye), are ascribed to the formation of new Si{single bond}O{single bond}Al groups of covalent character. The mass losses in the temperature range 150-700 °C correspond to the dehydration and dehydroxylation processes. The total mass losses of the Al-pillared bentonites (Wyoming and Resadiye) are close to each other at an OH/Al ratio of 2.2, but calcination from 400 to 600 °C causes the surface area of the latter composite to decrease by 13%. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.