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The Interlayer Structure of La-Vermiculite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Phillip G. Slade
Affiliation:
CSIRO Land and Water, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064
Peter G. Self
Affiliation:
Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, The Levels, South Australia 5095
James P. Quirk
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009
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Abstract

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The structure of the interlayer cation-water system in La-vermiculite with a unit cell of a = 5.33(5), b = 9.18(6), c = 15.13(9) Å and β = 96.82(7)° has been determined in space group C2/m. Under ambient conditions, the interlayer La cations are distributed on a 3a × b superlattice which disappears on dehydration but returns on rehydration. The basal spacing does not change during the dehydration/rehydration process. The character of the superlattice spots indicate that the cation-water system, at ambient conditions, is ordered over relatively large domains. The La cations are surrounded by 8 neighboring water molecules in a distorted cubic arrangement. The spaces between the La-water clusters are occupied by triads of water molecules that are relatively mobile.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1998, The Clay Minerals Society