Structure - property relationship of permutite-like amorphous silicates, Nax+2yM3+xSi1-xO2+y(M3+= Al, Mn, Fe, Y), for ion-exchange reactions.

A series of amorphous silicate materials with the general formula Na{sub x+2y}M{sub x}{sup 3+}Si{sub 1-x}O{sub 2+y}(M{sup 3+} = Al, Mn, Fe, Y) were studied. Samples were synthesized by a precipitation reaction at room temperature. The results indicate that the ion-exchange capacity (IEC) decreases as follows: Al > Fe > Mn > Y. Additionally, the IEC increases with increasing aluminum concentration. Structural studies show that the relative amount of octahedrally coordinated aluminum increases with increasing Al content, as does the total amount of AlO{sub 4} species increases. The data suggest that the IEC value of these amorphous aluminosilicates is dependent on the tetrahedrally coordinated aluminum. Regeneration of the Al-silicate with acetic acid does not decrease the IEC significantly.