Clay Composites: Physicochemical Characterization

Clay compoundsPhysico-chemical characterization have been used by human societies since time immemorial, because they are abundant in nature, smaller than 4 microns, adherent, plastic, malleable, have ion exchange capacityIon Exchange Capacity (IEC) and affinity with water. Due to their physical and chemical properties, they are used in agriculture, livestock, industry, commerce, tourism and the environment for the development of services and products such as bricks, crockery, paints, pharmaceuticalsPharmaceutical, agricultural inputs and natural filters. The clay composition of an environment depends on the rock that gave rise to it, weathering and pedogenesis, with the following groups standing out: kaoliniteKaolinite-serpentine, talc-pyrophyllite, mica, vermiculite, smectiteSmectite, chlorite and sepioliteSepiolite-palygorskite. Each of these groups has specific physicochemical properties, which will direct them to certain uses. Proper use requires prior characterization, so in this chapter we will discuss the main types of clay compounds, their structure, formation, occurrence, mineralogical and physicochemical characteristics and their environmental importance.