Mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) was formed by reacting the Chambers or Polkville montmorillonite hydrothermally at 270° and 350°C from several hours to more than 15 weeks. Reactions were conducted in closed vessels containing K or mixed K-Na, K-Ca, or K-Mg solutions of varying concentrations. The reaction rate and the rate of ordering of I/S for the reaction smectite + K+ → mixed-layer I/S + SiO2 was inhibited by the addition of Na+ Ca2+, and Mg2+; the inhibitory strength of Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, on an equivalent basis, increased approximately in the ratio 1:10:30. The first order reaction-rate constants for the reactions at 270° and 350°C indicate an activation energy of about 30 kcal/mole.

In the experimental system studied, the reaction smectite → mixed-layer I/S appeared to proceed by solid state transformation, as suggested by: (1) rapid dissolution of large amounts of silica, probably creating an Al-enriched residue; (2) similarity of particle size and morphology of the mixed-layer products to those of the original montmorillonite, implying no extensive dissolution of Al3+; and (3) relatively high activation energy compared to published values for silicate dissolution.

The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) provide a comprehensive set of instructions for watchkeeping officers to follow and prevent collisions at sea. This study compares how six newly qualified deck officers and six Master Mariners, who were all trained at the same college, applied the IRPCS. Individual, semi-structured interviews were used to uncover how the 12 participants applied and interpreted the rules for three authentic scenarios. Phenomenography was used to capture the qualitatively different means by which participants interpreted the IRPCS. For basic collision avoidance situations, the results indicated little difference between the cohorts' ability to interpret and apply the IRPCS. However, when the scenarios became more complicated, Master Mariners outperformed newly qualified deck officers. In these cases, Master Mariners displayed a greater capacity to assess the overall situation, whereas newly qualified deck officers tended to simplify by focusing on a single rule. These findings indicate that training needs to focus on developing situational awareness; and training scenarios need to incorporate multiple vessels in authentic scenarios to enhance newly qualified deck officers' capacities to interpret the IRPCS.

While studying the retention of additives used in tertiary recovery of petroleum (waterflooding) on minerals present in a rock reservoir, an investigation has been undertaken into the adsorption mechanism of Polyacrylamides on to clays. The adsorption of amides and Polyacrylamides takes place exclusively on the external surfaces of the clay particles. The organic molecules are protonated on the surface and adsorbed by ionic forces. There is a linear relationship between the adsorption ratio and the polarizing power of the exchangeable cations of the clay mineral. The adsorption isotherms and the thermal analyses reveal the existence of two adsorption mechanisms: (i) a strong, irreversible adsorption, which corresponds to the formation of a monolayer of chemisorbed molecules, (ii) a more important adsorption of molecules retained by hydrogen bonding, which can be eliminated by heating at low temperature. The retention ratio in the irreversible process, which is practically identical both for acetamide and Polyacrylamide, is low (3 mg/g). It depends on the external cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the mineral and increases with the surface area. The Polyacrylamide adsorption depends on the physico-chemical characteristics of the macromolecule, more particularly on the CONH2/COO−ratio, which determines the extent of the carbon chain, and the molecular weight. The accessibility of the organic macromolecule to the clay particle is controlled by the preceding factors. The quantity of Polyacrylamide irreversibly adsorbed by clay minerals is important in the context of the use of the polymer on a petroleum field. It may be reduced to a minimum by working at low concentrations with a weakly hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide solution.

The hydrothermal aging of pure silica—alumina gels in presence of 10 ml of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution at 175, 150 and 130°C for 8–30 days led to the synthesis of zeolites and the phyllosilicates, beidellite and kaolinite. The solution was neutralized by a partial hydrolysis of the gel which readily reorganized into a prezeolitic material. At pH values ⩾ 9, with 300 or 600 mg of gel, it evolved towards the crystalline zeolites P and S, with low surface area (7–100 m2/g) but high exchange capacity (300–475 m-equiv./100 g). With gel amounts of 600–2400 mg, and pH values of 8–5.5, the prezeolitic material provided rows of O—Si—O—Al—OH which recombined to form the phyllosilicate structures. Surface area increased (170–325 m2/g) but exchange capacity decreased (100–250m-equiv./100 g). The results obtained by various techniques (XRD, DTA, IR) indicated a moderate degree of crystallinity of these phyllosilicates; in addition, X-ray powder diffraction suggested that hk bands were the first to develop.

The positive results obtained with a 0.40 ratio Al2O3 gel compared with the negative results obtained with 0.30 or 0.50 Al2O3 gels indicate that the gel composition is very important for the formation of phyllosilicates under the experimental conditions.

Clay materials separated from estuarine sediments in Louisiana exhibit a selectivity for exchangeable calcium in laboratory experiments. The studies were conducted at 25°C and 60°C in mixed calcium and potassium chloride solutions in which the equivalent fraction of potassium varied from 0.12 to 0.54. Calcium selectivity was observed to increase with an increase in the equivalent fraction of potassium in the external solution and the temperature. The results suggest the possible importance of ion exchange reactions in the regulation of calcium availability during early diagenetic reactions in sediments.

With the establishment of the treaty ports in 1842, contact between China and the Western world intensified. In Shanghai, the most extensive exchange of knowledge and ideas took place between the missionaries of the London Missionary Society and their Chinese assistants. By working and translating for the missionaries, these traditionally educated men gained intimate insights into the West and Western learning and established close personal relationships with the missionaries. But in the process, they also became outcasts, as working for Westerners was viewed critically by their contemporaries. This article sets out to analyse the way in which Jiang Dunfu 蔣敦復 (1808–1867) and Wang Tao 王韜 (1828–1897) processed and accommodated these cosmopolitan experiences in Shanghai in their prose autobiographies.

The i.r. spectra (4000-1200 cm-1) are obtained for several homoionic montmorillonite films on which various amounts of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were adsorbed. Analyses of these spectra indicate that H- and natural-montmorillonite-DMSO complexes contain an intercalated layer of physisorbed DMSO while transition metal cation substituted-montmorillonite-DMSO complexes possess both physi- and chemisorbed DMSO in their interlamellar spaces. The latter species involve coordination of DMSO molecules with the exchangeable cations by their oxygen atoms. Most of the interlamellar water is replaced by DMSO as the latter molecules penetrate the interlamellar spaces. Heat-treating transition metal cation substituted-montmorillonite-DMSO complexes at 120°C for 48 hr results in both the desorption of physisorbed DMSO and the retention of intercalated monolayers involving DMSO-transition metal cation coordination. A water-sensitive, reversible color change (tan to light purple) is produced by either desiccating over P2O5 or heat-treating at 120°C the cobalt-montmorillonite-DMSO complex. Interpretation of the visible spectra suggests that Co2+-cations undergo changes from octahedral to tetrahedral coordination during desiccation or heating. Band assignments are made for the clay complexes using the assignments for related gases, liquids, and crystals.

Chloride-, sulfate-, and perchlorate-exchanged forms of hydrotalcite have been prepared and their layer spacings determined after equilibration in hydrous atmospheres and after heat-treatments up to the temperature of decomposition in the range 300–400°C. The initial carbonate form of hydrotalcite and also brucite, for purposes of comparison, have been similarly studied. Only chloride-hydrotalcite and brucite exhibit a single phase stable to the decomposition temperature. The other anionic forms exhibit various phases with different layer spacings which are interpreted in terms of the size, orientation, and stability of the anions and, in some cases, the presence of additional water. A regularly interstratified form of sulfate-hydrotalcite (layer spacing = 19.80 Å) is obtained at room temperature and relative humidity <50%; at higher humidities, a fully hydrated phase is obtained, and at 50°C a collapsed form is obtained. In the preparation of perchlorate-hydrotalcite, an interstratified phase (layer spacing = 17.0 Å) was recognized with alternating carbonate and Perchlorate layers, although the evidence is less certain.

The exchange of [Co(NH3)6]3+ from its vermiculite complex has been carried out with a number of inorganic and alkyl quaternary ammonium ions of varying ionic sizes. The distribution and selectivity coefficients of the desorbing ions increase in the order: Li<Na<NH4<K<Rb<H<Cs for the monovalent, Ca<Mg for the bivalent and (C2H5)4N<(CH3)4N≪CTA (cetyl trimethyl ammonium) <CP (cetyl pyridinium) for the organic ions. The ΔG° values of some of the cation exchange reactions have been calculated by an equation of Kielland (1935).