Crystal Chemistry of Hydrous Calcium Silicates: II, Characterization of Interlayer Water

Examination of tobermorite, 4–SCaO.5SiO₂.-5H₂O, and xonotlite, 5CaO.5SiO₂.H₂O, by infrared absorption revealed striking structural similarities and differences in the two phases. In the 8- to 15- μ region, the absorption was the same for both; the differences arose from the manner in which water and hydroxyl ions were bonded. Tobermorite exhibited strong absorption at 6.2 μ , a band which is generally associated with interlayer water, and at 2.9 μ , a band generally attributed to bonded (OH). The mineral xonotlite did not show these two bands but contained the band at 2.75 μ generally associated with free (OH). Synthetic xonotlite prepared at 300°C. was essentially the same as the mineral, but samples prepared at progressively lower temperatures exhibited the 2.9- μ band in increasing intensity. The fibrous form of tobermorite showed a band at 6.5 to 7.0 μ which increased in intensity with increasing amount of CaO in the solid; this band was also found in the 14-a.u. 1.0 CaO: SiO₂ hydrate, but not in xonotlite. The great volume stability of xonotlite during drying and wetting is readily explained on the basis of the present results. Shrinkage of tobermorite during drying at temperatures up to 650°C. may be due to removal of both interlayer water and bonded (OH). The changes in absorption during drying at room temperature were too small, however, to permit drawing any conclusions. Similarities and differences between tobermorite and certain clays are discussed.