Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2024
Direct analysis by Fourier transform methods revealed interstratification of three components for a homogeneous, potassium-treated and organic-solvated montmorillon-ite. An initial simple interpretation based on random mixing of two components was shown to be incorrect. Ethylene glycol solvation showed enhanced expansion in agreement with earlier investigations. Glycerol solvation produced a noteworthy contribution from a 14 Å component. An interpretation of the 14 Å component is suggested, based on an asymmetric distribution of layer charge. Regular interstratification, bending or curling of clay layers and anomalous dehydroxylation temperatures may be a consequence of asymmetric layer charge distribution in montmorillonites.