SPECTROSCOPIC METHODS TO DETERMINATION OF GEOTHITE IN KAOLINITE

Abstract

One of the main contaminants of kaolinite, the iron, directly impacts quality in its commercial value. The spectroscopic monitoring, measured the depth of absorption of kaolinite, is compared with the literature in order to identify possible contaminants. The occurrence of kaolinite is due to the formation of primary minerals after the partial release of cations and silicon. This clay-mineral has a simple shape, with variable crystallographic imperfections, especially in the presence of iron, which replaces aluminum in the mineral chain, causing various structural disorganizations. The extraction of industrial minerals combined with geological studies, allows the development of new sources of energy, such as clay minerals, in particular kaolinite. Depending on the origin of the kaolinites, the presence of iron oxides in its structure, Fe2O3 and FeO(OH), are common. By comparing the results of spectroscopy (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, RAMAN) and imaging using SEM-EDS, it was possible to identify kaolinite, with a higher determination coefficient, when the proportion of kaolinite reaches 60% or more in the mix. Kaolinite can be identified and quantified with a high correlation in the mixture from the sample absorption. Thus, the method has great potential to assist in quantifying and, consequently, in discriminating the quality of kaolinite.