Formation of saponite by hydrothermal alteration of metal oxides: Implication for the rarity of hydrotalcite

Conversion of hydrotalcite (Ht) to saponite was observed by hydrothermal alkaline alteration of metal oxides. The conversion was through a pathway of hydration-dissolution-precipitation. It involved several critical steps, including the construction of Ht from metal oxides, dissolution of Al³⁺ from Ht, condensation of metasilicate anions with Ht, and finally crystallization of saponite. The condensation was favored by relatively low Mg/Al ratios of Ht, along with high concentrations of Al³⁺ and silicate oligomers in the environment, resulting in highly crystalline saponite. The latter conversion was greatly accelerated by the isomorphous substitution of Al³⁺ for Si⁴⁺ in silicate oligomers. The substitution generated the extra negative charge and led to the aforementioned condensation with Ht surface, thereby promoting the formation of saponite TOT layers. During the process, CO₂ is an indispensable component. Initially intercalated as CO32 CO32-to form Ht, CO₂ was subsequently eliminated from the solid phase, and saponite formed when the layer charge was reversed. Thus, this study presents a novel formation mechanism of saponite from metal oxides via hydrotalcite and contributes to a better understanding of the crystallization, chemical stability, and transformation of Ht to saponite. The results are also relevant to evaluating metal availability and carbon cycling on the surface of the Earth.