A baseline study of mineralogical and morphological properties of different size fractions of illite du Puy

The objective of this study is to revisit the mineralogical and physico-chemical properties illite du Puy material (Puy-en-Velay, France), which envisaged as a model clay system in European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD) project. This compared raw commonly extracted from Velay ore site. Both materials were collected separated into different subfractions (i.e., <0.05, 0.05–0.1, 0.1–0.2, 0.2–2 μm) examine heterogeneity. X-ray diffraction bulk analyses indicated that observed variability literature, terms nature accessory minerals presence kaolinite, was directly related locations geological sampling. Moreover, respective mass contributions similar for two materials. Further performed used EURAD project by utilizing suite techniques. mineralogy refined an illite–smectite mixed-layer mineral with small amount (<5%) smectite layers. No significant changes chemical or particle lamellarity between subfractions. However, displayed wide range specific surface areas N2 BET surface) cation exchange capacity values, latter increased factors ~3 ~ 5 μm <0.05 size fractions, respectively. associated can be considered appropriate models refinement our understanding adsorption diffusion processes solutes porous media made charged particles.