Synthesis and characterization of disordered layered silica obtained by selective leaching of octahedral sheets from chrysotile and phlogopite structures

Natural chrysotile fibers and pegmatitic phlogopite were acid-leached under controlled conditions. The resulting products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. The leached products derived of the two clays are similar, consisting of layered hydrated disordered silica with a “distorted” structure resembling the silicate layer existing in the original minerals. A simple model of the “disordered” silica structure is presented.