Layered silicates

Layered silicates are minerals composed of stacked sheets of silicate (silicon and oxygen) layers, held together by weaker bonds. These layers can slide over each other, giving the mineral its softness and flexibility. They are common in soils and clays, influencing properties like plasticity and absorption. Their structure makes them useful in many applications, such as in ceramics, drilling fluids, and as adsorbents in environmental cleanup. Essentially, layered silicates are natural materials with a layered, sheet-like structure that impacts their physical and chemical behavior.