A mineralogical, structural and surface chemical investigation of muscovite in aqueous media
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2009
Authors
Dermis, T.
Addai Mensah, J.
Skinner, W.M.
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Conference paper
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Chemeca: Engineering our Future: Are we up to the Challenge, 2009, pp.1-editor
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CHEMECA 2009 (27 Sep 2009 : Perth, Western Australia)
Abstract
Variations in gangue minerals mineralogy, bulk and surface chemical structure and their solution interactions play a vital role in hydrometallurgical processing of mineral ores.Low grade ores rich in gangue minerals are commonly processed for valuable mineral extraction. Their mineralogical and chemical structural complexity presents intractable challenges to process engineering during aqueous processing of mixed mineral ores.Through systematic studies involving single model phases performed under industrially relevant conditions, the complexity of the system is minimised with a greater fundamental understanding of the mineralogy and chemistry obtained. In this study, the characterisation of muscovite mineral structure and surface chemistry under well defined processing conditions is established.Bulk and surface characteristics of muscovite (Ideally; K(AI)z(Sb, Alt)OlO(OH)2 after isothermal batch leaching at 70°C and pH I vs. 7, was probed as a function of time. Mineralogical analysis (XRD) of the pristine and leach residue samples revealed no noticeable structural variance; however, other analytical techniques (e.g.EMP/XRF/NMR) indicated significant crystallo-chemical changes had occurred in the bulk. Specifically, an increase in octahedrally coordinated, compared to tetrahedrally coordinated Al(III) is identified within the muscovite crystal as a function of leaching. Furthermore, the surface chemistry of pristine and leached particles were probed using XPS which indicated an increase in polymerisation of the tetrahedral layer possibly resulting from back-precipitation of Si(IV) from solution. Also, a more ordered state is adopted by Al(Ill) at the surface, indicating an increase in thermodynamic stability ofthe crystal structure.
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Copyright 2009 the authors