Specific surface area of 700 m² /g could be possible for which of the following clay minerals?
- AQuartz
- BKaolinite
- CIllite
- DMontmorilloniteCorrect
Solution
Concept
Specific surface of clay minerals
Step-by-step solution
1. Montmorillonite ≈ 800 m²/g; illite ≈ 80; kaolinite ≈ 15.
Explanation
Montmorillonite has a huge specific surface because of its thin platelets.
Why the other options are wrong
Kaolinite and illite are much lower; quartz is negligible.
Shortcut
Montmorillonite ≈ 700–800 m²/g.
Correct answer: D) Montmorillonite