Physico-chemical Properties of Tunisian Bentonitic Clays

Abstract

Bentonites, which consist essentially of clay minerals belonging
to the smectite group, have a wide range of chemical and industrial
uses. The structure, chemical composition, exchangeable ion type
and small crystal size of smectite are responsible for several properties,
including a large chemically active surface area, a high cation
exchange capacity and interlamellar surface having unusual hydration
characteristics. Two samples collected from Gafsa and Kef
deposits, are studied by some physico-chemical methods. Results
of  X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, infrared spectroscopy, cation
exchange capacities and specific and total surface confirm the
general smectitic character of the collected samples .