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Smectite clay from the Sabga deposit (Cameroon): mineralogical and physicochemical properties

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

J. R. Mache ,
P. Signing ,
A. Njoya ,
F. Kunyukubundo ,
J. A. Mbey ,
D. Njopwouo  and
N. Fagel
J. R. Mache*
Affiliation:
URAGEs Argiles, Géochimie et Environnements sédimentaires, Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, B18, Allée du 6 Aot, B-4000 Liège, Belgique Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Matériaux Minéraux, Département de Chimie Inorganique, Université de Yaoundé 1, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroun Mission de Promotion des Matériaux Locaux, B.P 2396 Yaoundé, Cameroun
P. Signing
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Matériaux Minéraux, Département de Chimie Inorganique, Université de Yaoundé 1, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroun
A. Njoya
Affiliation:
Mission de Promotion des Matériaux Locaux, B.P 2396 Yaoundé, Cameroun
F. Kunyukubundo
Affiliation:
Université de Yaoundé I, Département de Science de la Terre, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroun
J. A. Mbey
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Matériaux Minéraux, Département de Chimie Inorganique, Université de Yaoundé 1, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroun Laboratoire Environnement et Minéralurgie, UMR 7569 CNRS-Université de Lorraine, 15 Avenue du Charmois, B.P. 40. F-54501, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
D. Njopwouo
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Matériaux Minéraux, Département de Chimie Inorganique, Université de Yaoundé 1, B.P. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroun
N. Fagel
Affiliation:
URAGEs Argiles, Géochimie et Environnements sédimentaires, Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, B18, Allée du 6 Aot, B-4000 Liège, Belgique
*
*E-mail: jamache@yahoo.fr
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Abstract

The physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of the <250 μm particle-size fraction from six clay-rich samples from the Sabga deposit (north-west, Cameroon) were carried out to evaluate their potential applications. The major clay mineral is dioctahedral smectite and minor kaolinite is present in three of the clay samples. Cristobalite, feldspars, ilmenite and heulandite are accessory minerals. Application of the Greene-Kelly test revealed that the smectite present is montmorillonite. The chemical composition (wt.%) of the bulk clays consists of (66–70%) SiO2, (13–16%) Al2O3 and (2–7%) Fe2O3. Physico-chemical characterization of the clays showed that the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the specific surface area range from 38 to 46 meq/100 g and from 33 to 90 m2/g respectively. The physical and chemical properties are fully compatible with potential uses in environmental applications. After purification and chemical modification, these materials could also be used in refining edible oil as adsorbent, waste water treatment and wine technology.

Keywords

smectitemineralogyphysicochemical propertiesSabga depositCameroon

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 48 , Issue 3 , June 2013 , pp. 499 - 512
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2013

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