just i did wonder that whether it is distinguish montmorillonite or nontrinite  by SEM or TEM analysis (i.c. quantitative, qualtitative analysis  and the imaging of mineral structure). 

hi, there are many method for extracting clay mineral from other mineral. some of these technique described by Duane Milton Moore, Robert C. Reynolds at this book

" X-ray diffraction and the identification and analysis of clay minerals"

may be helpfull

Arash and Kenneth,  thanks for your advise with useful informations..

but, i did also check the existence of 2:1 clay minerals by XRD analysis (i.c. 001, 02-11, 060 peak(i.c. dioctahedral or trioctahedral sheet), expending of 001 position by ethylene glycol treatment, 001 MgCl-saturated, and KCl-saturated, etc.)

except for the TEM analysis, but still i wondering about their micro-structure morphological properties  on SEM images in nano scales . 

ultimately, i want to know whether objectively it can distinguish on SEM images couple with quantitative and qualitative analysis)  or not?

thank you for your comment.  currently, i also concede XRD analysis that most effective defining tool for clay mineral. 

Dear,

XRD oriented powder give you best results for identification phase mineral, SEM associated with EDAX can show you the nano-structural of this mineral. But if you want to now the caractere Dio or trio you must to IR- red give you a better results.

Best regards.

Dear Kenneth,

Thank you for this information and i would like to read paper discuss this subject?

Best Regards.

thank you for your advising. thank sincerely.

Dear Kenneth,

Very interesting, thank you.

Best regards.

XRD is efficient