
Suspension of a Tunisian purified smectite and American montmorillonite are studied by acid-base potentiometric and mass titrations. These experimental methods are used to determine the point of zero net proton charge (PZNPC). A very good agreement is observed between the two kinds of experiments. The two Namontmorillonites, studied at different ionic strengths, present proton adsorption vs. pH curves with a common crossing point. The PZNPC of the edge sites are 8.02 for Tunisian purified smectite and 8.11 for pure American montmorillonite. By analyzing the proton adsorption or desorption (H+ vs. pH) curves, one may assume the presence of four active sites at the surface. The montmorillonite surface undergoes two successive protonations and two successive deprotonations. Below pH A1OH groups) occur simultaneously. For pH > PZNPC and in alkaline pH range, deprotonation of surface hydroxyl groups exposed at the edge sites (>SiOH, and >A1OH at high pH) of montmorillonite platelets causes an overall negative charge.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 28 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
