King of Clays: Decoding Attapulgite
Attapulgite presents a unique one-dimensional rod-crystal morphology. Its crystals consist of silicon-oxygen tetrahedral sheets and magnesium (aluminum)-oxygen octahedral sheets. Inside the rod crystals, there are regular pore channels. This special microstructure gives attapulgite many excellent properties. The rod crystals interweave and form a fibrous aggregate. At the macroscopic level, it shows good flexibility and plasticity. Physical and Chemical Properties Adsorption:Attapulgite has a large specific surface area. It shows strong adsorption ability. It can effectively adsorb organic molecules, heavy metal ions, and gas molecules. Under the same conditions, it can adsorb 30%–50% more pollutants than traditional adsorbents. Colloidal properties:In water, it forms stable colloidal dispersions. It has good thixotropy and suspension. […]