The parameters of induced thermoluminescence of some selected phyllosilicates; a crystal defect structure study

For sodium-exchanged montmorillonites, the induced thermoluminescence glow curve intensity was found to be proportional to the octahedral layer charge deficiency of the clay. Both potassium- and lithium-fixed samples demonstrated an increase in thermoluminescence glow curve intensity indicating that the fixation of cations on both clay surfaces and inside the crystal structure of clay minerals introduces new electron traps to the system. The average electron trap activation energy is highest for potassium-fixed clays while cation fixation and heating a given clay reduced the maximum temperature and half-width of the induced thermoluminescence glow curve.—Modified journal abstract.