HYDROTALCITE Meaning and
Definition
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Hydrotalcite (pronounced hai-dro-tal-sahyt) is a natural or synthetic mineral compound that falls under the category of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). It is composed of positively charged sheets of metal hydroxides, primarily magnesium and aluminum, with intercalated anions and water molecules.
The name "hydrotalcite" stems from its resemblance to talc, a soft mineral known for its smoothness. However, unlike talc, hydrotalcite has a layered structure with distinct positively charged sheets and exchangeable anions between them. These anions, which can include carbonate, chloride, or others, can be easily exchanged through a process called ion exchange.
Hydrotalcite exhibits several unique properties. It has a lamellar structure, meaning it is composed of thin layers that can slide against each other, imparting a greasy or soapy feel when touched. It is also highly reactive and adsorbent, making it a useful material in various applications. Hydrotalcite is commonly used as a catalyst or catalyst support in chemical reactions, as an additive in polymer production, and as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions and organic contaminants. Furthermore, it is also employed in medicinal and pharmaceutical fields due to its potential applications in drug delivery systems and as an antacid.
Overall, hydrotalcite is a versatile, layered mineral compound with distinctive physical and chemical properties that make it valuable for a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.
Common Misspellings for HYDROTALCITE
- gydrotalcite
- bydrotalcite
- nydrotalcite
- jydrotalcite
- uydrotalcite
- yydrotalcite
- htdrotalcite
- hgdrotalcite
- hhdrotalcite
- hudrotalcite
- h7drotalcite
- h6drotalcite
- hysrotalcite
- hyxrotalcite
- hycrotalcite
- hyfrotalcite
- hyrrotalcite
- hyerotalcite
- hydeotalcite
- hyddotalcite
Etymology of HYDROTALCITE
The word "hydrotalcite" is derived from the Greek words "hydro" meaning "water" and "talco" meaning "talc". It was coined by the Swedish mineralogist Carl Christian Friedrich Schmidt in 1842 to describe a naturally occurring mineral with a greasy feel and water-absorbing properties. The term later became more commonly used to refer to a class of synthetic materials with similar properties, consisting of layered double hydroxides.
