Transform of Kaolinite in Iraqi Kaolin Clay to Halloysite by Intercalation Reaction

The kaolinite of the Duikhala Deposite in Iraqi Western Desert underwent intercalation with potassium acetate (KAc) and was subsequently washing water several times. More than 70% achieved checked using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique by observing a decrease peak intensity 7.2 Å appearance at 14 after two days intercalation. surface area cation exchange capacity were increased treated sample compared to untreated one. Transmission electron microscopy images kaolinite, 35 cycles repeated washing, showed that lamellar wrapped along main crystal directions transformed into nanotube shape halloysite mineral.