Ion Transport in Single Crystals of the Clay-Like Aluminosilicate vermiculite

Abstract

We have made an investigation of the ion transport properties of single crystals of the naturally occuring clay vermiculite in order to elucidate the mechanism of conductivity including the predominant charge carrier. Measurements of the ion conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and X-ray lattice parameters of ion exchanged samples strongly suggest that the native cations and not protons are the major current carriers.