Abstract

L. Daoudi¹*, A. Knidiri¹ and B. Rhouta²

The studied palygorskite clay mineral has been collected from several localities of Western High Atlas Tertiary series. Samples characterization has been accomplished by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM-TEM) and by Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Three types of palygorskite were differentiated, based on the morphology and crystallites. Most of these palygorskite deposits are originally formed in shallow seas and lakes as chemical sediments or by the reconstitution of smectite clays. Structure, mineralogical and chemical purity of these clays are similar than that of the Spanish fibrous clays used in pharmaceutical applications.

Palygorskite; structure; genesis; tertiary; Western High Atlas; Morocco

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