• DOI:10.1038/190254A0
• Corpus ID: 4149442

Attempted Low-Temperature Syntheses of Kaolin Minerals

@article{Brindley1961AttemptedLS,
  title={Attempted Low-Temperature Syntheses of Kaolin Minerals},
  author={George William Brindley and Christian de Kimpe},
  journal={Nature},
  year={1961},
  volume={190},
  pages={254-254}
}

• G. Brindley, C. D. Kimpe
• Published 15 April 1961
• Materials Science
• Nature

ALTHOUGH kaolin minerals appear to be formed in Nature under acidic conditions at relatively low temperatures and low water-vapour pressures, their synthesis in the laboratory under similar conditions has been found exceptionally difficult. It appears that a proper choice of many variables is essential. In previous investigations1,2, individual kaolinite crystals have been obtained by ageing mixed alumina and silica gels for 2 months at 100° C. and under pH. conditions around 4.5, but the crystalline yield was extremely poor and the kaolinite could be proved only by single-crystal, electron diffraction methods ; X-ray diffraction failed to detect the small yield. It seems that the ready polymerization of silica, with aluminium incorporated in the structure, inhibited the crystallization of a layer structure. Similar difficulties are not encountered in forming hydrous magnesian silicates.