The morphology of the Unter-Rupsroth montmorillonite

Electron micrographs of Na-saturated Unter-Rupsroth montmorillonite show that many of the individual flakes, which are probably 10 Å. thick, have straight edges meeting in 120° angles. This is evidence in support of the pseudohexagonal structure of montmorillonite. Similar pictures were obtained with Lisaturated clay and with ‘Calgon’-dispersed material. The usefulness of electron microscopy for the study of clay mineral morphology depends upon the efficiency of dispersion and the details of the mounting techniques rather than the nature of the exchange cation or the particular dispersing agent employed.