Surface Properties of Cleaved Mica.

The structural characteristics of cleaved mica are studied. Cleavage of phlogopite and muscovite is shown to be accompanied by the deformation of their crystal lattices. The structural charge emerging as a result amounts to 90–95% of the total charge of the mica surface. The acid–base properties of the surfaces of these minerals are studied by the method of potentiometric titration. As is shown using constant capacitance surface complexation model, only deprotonation reactions are characteristic for muscovite, whereas phlogopite undergoes also ion-exchange reactions. The corresponding constants of acid–base equilibrium are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]