Palygorskite of Dharur, Andhra Pradesh has been characterized by XRD, XRF, ICP, FTIR, SEM and BET N2 adsorption techniques. Thermal studies were carried out by heating in different temperatures from 100°C to 1200°C for 2 hrs. Particle size and reflectance spectrophotometric measurements were also made. Studies showed that water (sorbed and present in pseudo-zeolitic “well”) was eliminated from this mineral at lower temperatures resulting in micro-containers in the corrugated channel of the clay. Eventually, particulates of very large surface area are generated. Colour of the sample deteriorated faster on heating due to the segregation of Fe2O3 on the surface of the sample.
