Hydration states of an expanded phlogopite in relation to interlayer cations

A 2–20 µ fraction of phlogopite has been converted to the sodium form by use of sodium tetraphenylboron-NaCl solutions. The cation exchange capacity of the treated material increases to a maximum of about 212 m-eq/100 g, which agrees well with the K2O + Na2O content of the initial mineral. Li-, Na-, Ca-, and Mg-saturated forms have been prepared and examined by X-ray diffraction and by thernogravimetric measurements in air, in vacuo, and at progressively elevated temperatures. Hydration states corresponding to double water layers are observed for the Mg- and Ca- forms, and to single water layers for the Mg-, Ca-, Na-, and Li- forms. The numbers of water molecules per unit cell and per interlayer cation are considered for the various hydration states.