Palygorskite

Palygorskite or attapulgite is a magnesium aluminium phyllosilicate with formula (Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)·4(H2O) that occurs in a type of clay soil common to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the types of fuller's earth. Some smaller deposits of this mineral can be found in Mexico, where its use is tied to the manufacture of Maya blue in pre-Columbian times.

Etymology

The name palygorskite is derived from the Russian city of Palygorsk, where it was first discovered. The term attapulgite is derived from the town of Attapulgus, Georgia, in the United States, where the mineral is found in abundance and is the main component of the local clay soil.

Structure and composition

Palygorskite is a hydrous magnesium aluminum silicate that resembles other clay minerals in many ways. It has a chain structure which gives it its unique reactivity and colloidal properties. The chains are composed of alternating octahedral and tetrahedral sheets, and the clay particles have a lath-like shape and are typically 2-3 micrometers long and 30-50 nanometers thick.

Uses

Palygorskite is used in oil refining and petrochemical industries for its sorptive properties. It is also used in the manufacture of drilling muds and in the production of catalysts. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as an active ingredient in some antidiarrheal medicines. In the construction industry, it is used in the production of paints, adhesives, and sealants.

Related terms

• Fuller's earth: A clay material that has the capability to decolorize oil or other liquids.
• Maya blue: A unique bright azure blue pigment manufactured by cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, such as the Maya and Aztec.
• Catalysts: Substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction by reducing the activation energy, but which are left unchanged by the reaction.

See also

• Sepiolite: A soft white clay mineral, often used in making tobacco pipes. It is similar to palygorskite in structure and composition.
• Clay minerals: A group of hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates that may contain minor amounts of other elements such as potassium, magnesium, iron, and lithium.

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