Broadband Dielectric Analysis of Clays: Impact of Cation Exchange Capacity, Water Content, and Porosity

This dataset supports the study "Broadband Dielectric Analysis of Clays: Impact of Cation Exchange Capacity, Water Content, and Porosity". It provides comprehensive experimental data characterizing four water-saturated clay types - kaolin, illite, and two sodium-activated bentonites - using broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 5 GHz. Included files: XRD_clay_data.csv: Mineralogical composition of the four clay types, determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Includes relative mineral fractions identified for each sample XRD_clay_physical_1_data.csv: Physical parameters of 15 samples: porosity, volumetric water content, and gravimetric water content. Values were derived from gravimetric drying and volumetric analysis of the measurement cells. XRD_clay_physical_2_data.csv: Physico-chemical properties summarized by clay type: cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (BET), particle density, and the electrical conductivity of extracted porewater (measured at 1:5 and 1:20 clay-to-water ratios). VNA_Spectra.zip: Broadband dielectric spectra provided as .s2p files (Touchstone format), with one file per sample ID. Measurements were performed using a vector network analyzer (VNA) and a coaxial transmission line setup, covering the frequency range from 300 MHz to 5 GHz. Purpose: This dataset enables analysis of the relationships between dielectric relaxation behavior and key petrophysical properties such as CEC, porosity, and water content. It supports future developments of non-invasive electromagnetic techniques for the characterization of soils and geomaterials.