Layered silicate partially modified with amino acid

A process for preparing a layered silicate having interlayer cations, comprising

• i) providing a layered silicate,
• ii) determining the cation exchange capacity of the layered silicate
• iii) contacting the layered silicate with a protonated amino acid in an aqueous environment, wherein the molar amount of protonated amino acid corresponds to less than 100% of the cation exchange capacity of the layered silicate,
• the resulting layered silicate having interlayer cations, wherein the interlayer cations comprise
• a) inorganic monovalent cations comprising at least one of N+, K+, and Li+ and
• b) organic cations comprising at least one protonated amino acid,
• wherein the molar ratio of the inorganic monovalent cations a) to organic cations b) is in the range of 0.20:0.80 to 0.80:0.20.