Fifty Years of Attapulgite in China: History and Prospects of Research on the Crystal Structure and Crystal Chemistry

In China, palygorskite research commenced with its initial discovery at Xiaopanshan, Luhe, Jiangsu Province in 1976. Over the past fifty years study, it is necessary to systematically review the advances in mineralogical research on palygorskite. In this paper, we are going to focus on review of the determine of mineral species, crystallochemistry, crystal structure, the morphological characters etc. as well as the utilization based on its physical properties. As the predominant mineral component in attapulgite clay deposits, palygorskite represents a premier non−metallic material—revered as the “King of Clays”—and commands significant cross−disciplinary interest globally. This review provides a comprehensive retrospective on the mineralogical milestones, crystallochemical insights, and structural advancements of palygorskite in China and abroad, it is vitally important to understand and use the attapulgite scientifically.