Study of synthetic clay minerals. Part IV: synthesis of microcrystalline stevensite from hydromagnesite and sodium silicate

Abstract Stevensite was prepared by the hydrothermal reaction of hydromagnesite and sodium silicate at 170°C for 5 h. This procedure could be readily applied to industrial production. The product exhibits the characteristics of smectite; it was readily dispersed into water and became translucent. The product consisted of Mg, Si, Na, O and H components, and showed superior heat resistance to that of a hectorite containing Li.