Fast microwave synthesis of hectorite

Hectorite has been synthesized by aging the gel precursor by microwave–hydrothermal treatment at 393 K for 16 h. This hectorite had higher purity (60%) than hectorite prepared by conventional heating (45%). The effect of brucite used, aging temperature and time under microwaves on the resulting hectorite has been studied by XRD, N2 adsorption, and SEM techniques. Higher proportions of hectorite with higher crystallinity were achieved at longer aging time, higher temperature, and by using a more crystalline brucite.