The effect of sonication on dioctahedral and trioctahedral micas

This paper reports on the effect of sonication on two mica samples. The materials have been investigated in terms of structure modifications, particle size and morphology, specific surface area and thermogravimetric behaviour. The effect of the mica structure, namely density and distribution of cations over the octahedral sites, on the sonicated products is reported. Sonication produces delamination and reduction of lateral size of the original macroscopic materials yielding nanometric flakes that retain the structure of the material, unlike other procedures previously reported in literature, such as dry grinding, that produces severe structural damage.