Effect of rehydration on structure and surface properties of thermally treated palygorskite

[Display omitted] ► The dehydration and rehydration of palygorskite were studied using TG and H2O-TPD. ► XRD and NH3-TPD were obtained for thermally treated palygorskite. ► Rehydration restored the folded structure of palygorskite at temperatures lower than 300 °C. Palygorskite has a fibrous like morphology with a distinctive layered appearance. The simplified formula of palygorskite (Mg5Si8O20(OH)2(OH2)4⋅nH2O) indicates that two different types of water are present. The dehydration and rehydration of palygorskite have been studied using thermogravimetry and H2O-temperature programmed desorption. X-ray diffractograms, NH3 adsorption profiles, and NH3 desorption profiles were obtained for thermally treated palygorskite as a function of temperature. The results proved water molecules were mainly derived from Si–OH units. In addition, five kinds of acid sites were found for palygorskite. The number of acid sites of external surfaces was larger than that of the internal surfaces. Bonding on the internal surface acid sites was stronger than the bonding of the external surfaces. Rehydration restored the folded structure of palygorskite when thermal treatment temperature was lower than 300°C.