Stability of n-butylammonium vermiculite in powder and flake forms

Interaction between n-butylammonium (BA) chloride and vermiculite from Sant a Olalla (Spain) has been studied in large flake (5 x 5 x 0.1 mm) or ground powder (less than or equal to 80 mu m) samples. The differences in adsorpt ion and decomposition of BA ions in both particle sizes have been establish ed. In the interlamellar space, the BA ion remains unaltered in powder samp les, but is degraded in flakes. The experimental results suggest decomposit ion of the BA in the interlamellar space of vermiculite flakes by breaking of the C-N bond. The degradation of BA takes place over a short period. The variety with BA in the interlamellar space is transformed into a new one, due to the degradation of alkylammonium. The transformation occurs through an interstratified phase formed between BA-vermiculite and NH4-vermiculite, and finally a phase appears in which only ammonium is present in the inter lamellar space. Due to the many industrial applications of alkylammonium-cl ays, determination of the stability of alkylammonium in the interlamellar s pace of clay minerals is of great importance.