New data on the microporosity of bentonites

[EN]This comparative study on a very wide group of samples shows that the crystal size and crystalline defects of smectites influence microporosity of bentonite considerably more than previously considered. The smectite crystals and surface properties, including microporosity and micropore volume, w...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Suárez Barrios, María Mercedes, Lorenzo Hernández, Adrián, García-Vicente, Andrea, Morales Sánchez Migallón, Juan, García Rivas, Javier, García Romero, Emilia
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)
Repositorio:GREDOS. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Salamanca
OAI Identifier:oai:gredos.usal.es:10366/169188
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10366/169188
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Bentonite
Specific surface area
Smectites
Microporosity
Microstructure
2506 Geología
Descripción
Sumario:[EN]This comparative study on a very wide group of samples shows that the crystal size and crystalline defects of smectites influence microporosity of bentonite considerably more than previously considered. The smectite crystals and surface properties, including microporosity and micropore volume, were studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption, respectively. The specific surface area obtained varied between 25 and 278 m2g−1. The micropore area ranged between 6 and 76 m2g−1, and the external area ranged from 18 to 208 m2g−1. The external surface area was related to the size of the crystals in [001] direction because of the smaller particles with few stacked 2:1 layers have more basal surfaces accessible to the N2 molecules. However, the microporosity can be related to 1) the size of the crystals, owing to the partial ability of N2 to penetrate into the interlayer space, 2) the abundance of crystalline defects affecting the stacking of the 2:1 layers, and 3) the arrangement of the crystals forming particles, in which sub-parallel aggregates generate micro and mesopores. The study shows that these bentonites have pores in the full range, from smaller micropores (related to the crystalline structure in the interior of the interlayer) to micrometric macropores. The amounts of micro, meso, and macropores varied between samples but were similar and characteristic for samples from the same geological area.