Characterization of a few Mexican clays

Tile characterization of a few Mexican clays with chemical treatment for po ssible application as catalysers is shown. The natural clays are treated wi th H2SO4, HF, F-3 CSO3H, ClSO3H, HClO4 and their behavior in reactions with some alcohols was recorded. The analysis were made before and after using the clays as catalysers. The clays were characterized by Mossbauer spectros copy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and differential ther mo analysis. The predominant mineral species are: montmorillonite, christob alite and quartz. The main elements are: Si, Al, Fe, Ca, K etc. The Mossbau er results show mainly a paramagnetic doublet of Fe3+. The clays behave sim ilarly as described in the literature.