CEC of clays: Measurement by adsorption of a copper ethylenediamine complex

A method for the rapid determination of CEC values in clays using au ethylenediamine complex of Cu was tested with different clays. The single-step procedure is fast and does not require sophisticated apparatus. The exchange with most cations—and even with those of heavy metals—is irreversible and can be carried out over a range of pH values. The results, which can be obtained using a wide variety of analytical techniques, are generally in good agreement with those given by the classical Kjeldahl method.