LAUSR

ABSTRACT The dielectric properties of a series of homoionic alkali-exchanged montmorillonites were studied at different treatment temperatures and various water loadings by means of complex impedance spectroscopy. To date, however, this method has been underutilized in clay minerals studies. The main objective of the present work is to understand the relaxation mechanisms of water molecules interacting with different hydration centers in clay minerals, with a view to eventually control their interactions with the alkali extra-framework cations. The other part of our study is to study the dielectric properties such as real and imaginary parts of dielectric permittivity, loss tangent, and ac conductivity in the frequency range 10−2–106 Hz and temperature range 173–333 K of these clay minerals. The obtained results have been discussed in terms of the Jonscher model.