Solid state reaction of sodium carbonate and montmorillonite at 550

Abstract--The isothermal solid state reactions of Na2CO3 and other salts at 550*(2 with montmorillonite and with 1:1 mixtures of montmorillonite-illite and montmorillonite-chlorite were investigated. At a concentration of 20 vet. %, Na2CO 3 caused the complete destruction of the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern of montmorillonite alone and in mixtures with other clays. Less deterioration f the XRD pattern was found for NaOH, NaF, K2CO3, and Li2CO 3. NaC1, Na2SO4, Na3PO4, MgCO3, and CuCO3 had no effect on the XRD traces ofmontmorillonite. The time dependence ofthe Na2CO3-montmoriUonite interaction at 550 ~ suggested that the reaction is diffusion controlled in three dimensions, i.e., diffusion was directed from the surface of the particle towards its center. Key Words--Chlorite, Diffusion, Illite, Montmorillonite, Sodium carbonate, Thermal treatment