BENTONITE

1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance
It is very fine, white to light yellow-brown powder with odorless.

2. SOLUBILITY
It is practically insoluble in water and in diethyl ether, but it swells in water.

3. IDENTIFICATION
i. Add 0.5g of Bentonite to 3 ml of dilute sulphuric acid and heat until white
fumes are evolved. Cool, add 20 ml of water, and filter. To 5 ml of the filtrate
add 3 ml of ammonia solution. A white, gelatinous precipitate is produced.

4. PH
The pH of suspension is between 9.0 and 10.5

5. PURITY
Place 2.0 g of Bentonite in 20 ml of water to swell then further dilute with
water to 100 ml. Pour the suspension clean cotton cloth and wash thoroughly
with water. No grit is felt when the fingers are rubbed over the cloth.
(If no grit, the Bentonite is pure)

6. LOSS ON DRYING
Range after dried is 5.0 – 10.0%

7. SWELLING POWER
The apparent volume of the sediment at the bottom is not less than 20 ml.