Chemical Exfoliation of Vermiculite and the Production of Colloidal Dispersions

Chemical treatments involving ion exchange cause gross one-dimensional swelling in water of single crystals of vermiculite minerals. A delicate balance of forces holds the individual silicate layers (10 angstroms thick) parallel to one another although separated by several hundred angstroms. Colloidal dispersions produced from the swollen crystals are morphologically unique and show strong film-forming characteristics.