High-pressure differential thermal analysis (HP-DTA)

High-pressure differential thermal analysis results are used to describe dehydration reactions for the clay-like materials of Na-rich montmorillonite, K-, Ca-, and Mg-exchanged montmorillonite, kerolite, and a high-pressure phase resembling talc/mica with excess water. Because sealed capsules may be used to contain fluids, it is possible to evaluate the role of H₂O in these reactions. A separate paper (Part II) addresses the use of HP-DTA to understand dehydroxylation reactions in these materials.