Synthesis of kaolinite from micas and K-depleted micas

The weathering stages of K-depleted biotite, K-depleted phlogopite, and natural biotite were investigated using hydrothermal treatment with AlCl³ solution at 200°C for 12 to 72 h. Although there were some differences in the degree of weathering of the two K-depleted micas, both first transformed to hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite (HIV), which then altered to kaolinite. In case of the natural biotite, the biotite first transformed to a K-depleted mica-like phase, which then altered to kaolinite. The natural biotite had resisted weathering to kaolinite more than did the K-depleted biotite, as expected. The K-depleted phlogopite had less resistance in weathering to kaolinite than the K-depleted biotite. The transformation process changed the color of the micas. The K-depleted biotite changed from greenish-black through yellow to pale gray whereas the natural biotite changed from greenish-black through beige to yellow. However, in the case of K-depleted phlogopite, there was no significant color change during the transformation process. The presence of the interlayer K⁺ ions and the structural Fe²⁺ ions in mica appear to have contributed to the differences in the degree of weathering to kaolinite among the micas investigated.