Abstract
Problem statement: The Barat-Algaof kaolin deposits are characterized and evaluated for its potentials as an industrial raw material. Approach: This research studied the total mineralogical composition of the kaolin deposit, chemical and physical properties as well as intercalation of kaolinite by urea. Using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Laser particle size, Centrifuge, data from UK (England) kaolin standard and Hinckley crystallinity index were also compared. Three samples of kaolin were treated by urea intercalation. Results: Results showed high content of kaolinite after the removal of non-kaolin minerals; the major elements percentages are almost similar to that of U.K kaolin and the low value of whiteness refers to the presence of iron containing minerals in the samples. Moreover, a well crystallinity index of kaolin was obtained. Intercalation of urea into kaolinite expands the basal space and the reduction of particle size of kaolinite after intercalation is evident in the Scanning Electron Microscopy. Conclusion: we concluded that kaolinite of the study area can be used as raw materials for industrial purposes.
Highlights
IntroductionKaolin consists of one tetrahedral silica sheet and one octahedral alumina sheet is an important industrial raw material having widespread applications in industries such as manufacture of papers, paints, rubbers, ceramic, cosmetics, plastic and medicines[8,12,13].The thickness of kaolin particles is significant whenever kaolin is being used as a coating, filler in paper, ceramic, rubber[6,14] in the industry, the kaolinite particles should be separated to thin platelets.Industrials applications of kaolin is dependent on many factors including mineralogical composition of the kaolin deposits, geological of kaolin formed, as well as the chemical and physical properties and in almost every instance the kaolin has different properties and must be fully tested and evaluated to determine its utilization
X-ray powder diffraction: The interpretation of the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns of three samples (Fig. 2), led to the identification of the following mineral: kaolinite and the Accessory minerals such as quartz found in the three samples, Illite found only in H1, chlorite, found in sample B3 and calcite, which was found in sample J3 (Fig. 2) and (Table 1) and shows intercalation of urea into kaolinite expands the basal space from 7.2-10.5 Å (Fig. 3)
Characterization and evaluation of Barat- Algaof kaolin deposits was based on the kaolinite chemical composition and physical properties including mineralogical composition and particles size distributions, whiteness, crystallinity index as well as intercalation of kaolinite by urea
Summary
Kaolin consists of one tetrahedral silica sheet and one octahedral alumina sheet is an important industrial raw material having widespread applications in industries such as manufacture of papers, paints, rubbers, ceramic, cosmetics, plastic and medicines[8,12,13].The thickness of kaolin particles is significant whenever kaolin is being used as a coating, filler in paper, ceramic, rubber[6,14] in the industry, the kaolinite particles should be separated to thin platelets.Industrials applications of kaolin is dependent on many factors including mineralogical composition of the kaolin deposits, geological of kaolin formed, as well as the chemical and physical properties and in almost every instance the kaolin has different properties and must be fully tested and evaluated to determine its utilization. Kaolinite has a function and is not just an inert component of the system. Properties of kaolinite, important for industrial applications are particle-size distribution, structural order-disorder or crystallinity, surface area and whiteness [13]. Some of these physical properties can be changed with several treatments such as grinding (either under wet or dry conditions), intercalation of salts and small molecules in the interlayer space and acid treatments[3,4,5,17,23]. Intercalation of kaolinte by molecules as, hydrazine, urea or potassium acetate[21,15] cause the weakening of interlayer hydrogen bonds and kaolinite layer are displaced with respect to one another
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