Sequential cation-exchange capacity (CEC) measurements were obtained from standard clays using a mechanized, variable-rate leaching device. The device consists of a motorized screwjack and as many as 24 leaching tubes coupled to 60-ml plastic syringes. Controlled withdrawal of the syringe plungers produces a vacuum that permits samples in the leaching tubes to be extracted at a uniform rate. A single, 8-hr leaching of clays with 35 ml of salt solution was found to be comparable to multiple saturations or displacements using a centrifuge. CECs consistent with published values were obtained for reference 2:1 clay minerals using both acetate and chloride salts of Na, Ca, and Mg. Potassium-exchange capacities were also successfully measured following in situ thermal treatment of samples in the leaching tubes. Variations in measured CECs for kaolin-group minerals due to salt intercalation were minimized by using chloride rather than acetate salts and by washing with a dilute aqueous solution of the saturating cation following initial saturation. The mechanical extractor significantly reduced the effort required to perform conventional CEC determinations without sacrificing analytical precision.

The milling process in the solid-state 2:1 clay minerals, montmorillonite and talc, which have different cation exchange capacities, is reported here. Several instrumental techniques were used to monitor systematically the products formed. The dehydroxylation/amorphization of the montmorillonite and talc structures occurs within 3 and 6 h of milling, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra indicated that structural Mn2+ was oxidized more quickly in the montmorillonite structure than in talc, while the paramagnetic defects increased during milling. Nuclear magnetic resonance was also used to monitor the environmental changes for Si and Al during milling.