Effect of interlayer cations on high-temperature phases of vermiculite.

Static and dynamic heating of vermiculite samples from Santa Olalla, Huelva, Spain, saturated with different cations, i.e. Na⁺, Cs⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Al³⁺, have been studied. The characterization of the phases formed during heating has been carried out by X-ray diffraction. The phases formed depend on the cation present in the interlamellar position and the heating process. The phases identified in the vermiculite samples saturated with different cations and heated at different temperatures are the following: enstatite, forsterite, spinel, cordierite, anorthite, pollucite, nepheline, coesite, celsian and others various mixed silicates; also some dehydrated and amorphous phases have been observed. On static heating, at the maximum temperature reached in this work, the phases formed appear mixed with a glassy phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]