A montmorillonite has been intercalated with Al3+ polycations, using concentrated solutions and clay mineral dispersions. The reaction has been assisted by microwave radiation, yielding new intercalated solids and leading to Al-pillared solids after their calcination at 500 °C. The solids were characterized by elemental chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analyses, ...

Aluminium toxicity is one of the major factors that limit plant growth and development in many acid soils. Root cells plasma membrane, particularly of the root apex, seems to be a major target of Al toxicity. However, strong interaction of Al3+, the main Al toxic form, with oxygen donor ligands (proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides) results in the inhibition of cell division, cell extension...

pyrophyllite solid solutions, AlrSi.-.Al,oro-.(oHr*"), have been synthesized from a gel and from lightly ground and milled natural materials. Solid solutions crystalliTe from structurally degraded or amorphous starting materials due to the tendency for Al3* to enter tetrahedral sites. The extent of solid solution is small; synthesis from a gel yielded pyrophyllite with the formula Al2 o(Si3 rAL...