Tatsuya Tatsuya and Sridhar Komarneni
The ion exchange selectivities of a high-charge-density fluorophlogopite mica, Na-4-mica (ideal chemical composition Na4Mg6Al4Si4O20F4·xH2O) were investigated for alkali metal ions (Li+, K+ and Cs+) and alkaline earth metal ions (Sr2+ and Ba2+). The ion exchange isotherms were obtained at room temperature using Na-4-mica with a hydrated 12.11 Å lattice, which was easily and economically prepared from a mixture of NaF, MgO and calcined kaolinite. The selectivity depended considerably on the degree of loading of metal ions in the mica for the alkaline earth metals, but not for the alkali metal ions. The selectivity increased in the order: Li+ < Cs+ < K+ < Na+ for alkali metal and Sr2+ < Ba2+ for alkaline earth metal ions. Mg2+-exchanged Na-4-mica with an expanded 13.33 Å lattice was also prepared and its strontium and barium ion exchange were studied.