Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 July 2018
Complexes of SnCl2/montmorillonite have been prepared from solutions which contained 10, 20, 40 and 200 times the cation exchange capacity of the clay, resulting in complexes which contained 1·7, 1·6, 2·8 and 4·6 wt% of tin. Detailed thermogravimetric and variable temperature 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of these complexes, both as prepared and following back exchange with Ca2+-ions, have shown that (i) the complexes are quite acidic in nature, and (ii) the majority of the Sn forms an oxy/hydroxy coating over the montmorillonite surface in which the vibrational freedom of Sn depends upon both the Sn content and the state of hydration of the coating.