Abstract: Palygorskite clay from Linze,Gansu province was selected and the effects of modification with different salt solutions on physicochemical properties of natural and acid-treated palygorskite clays were investigated.The results showed that the cation exchange capacities(CEC) and special surface areas(SSA) of modified samples increased and decreased with the increase of modified temperature,respectively.The values of SSAs of palygorskite clays modified with FeCl₃ and AlCl₃ were much higher than those of natural and NaCl,KCl,MgCl₂,CaCl₂ modified samples.The CECs of all modified samples decreased compared to natural sample and has the following system: M²⁺>M⁺>M³⁺.The SSAs and CECs of 6mol/L HCl-treated palygorskite clays modified with different salt solutions decreased and increased compared to those of 6mol/L HCl-treated sample,respectively.