Fast microwave synthesis of hectorite

Hectorite has been synthesized by aging the gel precursor by microwave-hydrothermal treatment at 393 K for 16 h. This hectorite had higher purity (60%) than hectorite prepared by conventional heating (45%). The effect of brucite used, aging temperature and time under microwaves on the resulting hectorite has been studied by XRD, N-2 adsorption, and SEM techniques. Higher proportions of hectorite with higher crystallinity were achieved at longer aging time, higher temperature, and by using a more crystalline brucite. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.