Surface modifications of illite in concentrated lime solutions investigated by pyridine adsorption

The surface properties and functionality of an illite-containing clay mineral in alkaline solutions containing increasing quantities of calcium hydroxide were investigated using FTIR monitored pyridine adsorption at various temperatures. Results showed that the binding behavior of electron donor pyridine molecules to illite platelets is mostly governed by electron acceptor sites located at the edges of the clay particles. The binding of bulky hydrated calcium ions at the surface of the illite platelets decreases the surface area of illite. Moderate thermal treatments up to 450 °C do not affect the structure of the clay mineral but strongly decrease the number of Lewis and Brönsted sites available at the edges of the clay platelets.     

Evaluation of pozzolanic activity and physicomechanical characteristics in metakaolin-lime pastes

In order to evaluate the pozzolanic activity of metakaolin, several pastes were prepared, by mixing metakaolin with hydrated lime, in different ratios. The pastes were stored in standard conditions (RH=99±1%, T=25±1°C) and evaluated using thermal analysis (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), compressive strength tests and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), in time. The obtained results revealed that the compounds formed are CSH, C₂ASH₈ and C_{4 11} while C₄AH₁₃ was not detected up to 270 days of curing. The calcium hydroxide consumption increases as the initial amount of the metakaolin in the paste augments. The maximum strength development is obtained for metakaolin/lime ratio:1.     

Physical and chemical formations of lead contaminants in clay and sediment

A possible sink for divalent lead in the environment is clays such as montmorillonite that have cation exchange capacities. To assess the reaction, a calcium-montmorillonite was mixed with lead perchlorate solutions of varying concentrations and at various pH's. The recovered solids were studied by a variety of techniques (X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy) to determine what, if any, alterations occurred. The ion exchange of lead for calcium reduced the hydrated water in the clay, and evidence for proton-lead ion exchange at the edges of the sheets was observed. Evidence for a second, unexpected, reaction was also observed. Small spots (0.2 to 1 microm) of lead enrichment were observed on the surface of clay particles. They were also observed on clays recovered from the sediment of a Hungarian lake. The results show that lead ions are adsorbed onto montmorillonite by two processes: cation exchange and nano- and microparticle production. Cation exchange leads to the even distribution of the ions, while the production of spots causes the enrichment of lead ions. The production of these particles is not expected from the thermodynamic properties of the solution and cannot be observed in the absence of clay.     

Thermal analysis to assess pozzolanic activity of calcined kaolinitic clays

The use of calcined clays as partial replacement of cement is encouraged since it promotes the reduction of the green-house gas emission and the energy requirement of cement-based material, maintaining or enhancing the mechanical properties and the durable performance of these materials. In this paper, the use of thermal methods—DTA/TG and calorimetry—to select and to evaluate two kaolinitic clays for their use as pozzolanic materials was explored. The content and crystallinity of kaolinite in clays can be determined by DTA/TG analysis, and this technique is also suitable to select the calcination temperature for complete kaolinite dehydroxylation. Calorimetric analysis on blended cements (30 % by mass of replacement) can differentiate the reactivity of calcined kaolinitic clays. Results show that more reactive calcined kaolinitic clay develops the second and third peaks earlier than those of PC with great intensity and high acceleration. The reactivity of calcined clays is associated to raw materials containing kaolinite with high structural disorder that determines calcined clays with large specific surface area, high grindability, and small mean particles size (d ₅₀) for the same grinding objective. Finally, the DTA/TG analysis can determine the type and the amount of hydrated phases obtained at different ages to evaluate the pozzolanic reaction of calcined clay in accordance with the standardized pozzolanic activity index.     

A Study of Calcium Nitrate Purification

Two methods of calcium nitrate purification were studied: crystallization from aqueous solutions and joint precipitation of impurities from aqueous solutions onto inorganic collectors (calcium hydroxide or carbonate and hydrated aluminum or zirconium oxides). The efficiency of purification of calcium nitrate solutions was studied and the purification coefficients were calculated for hydrated aluminum or zirconium oxides as collectors.     

Structural and phase changes in iron(III)—aluminium(III) mixed hydroxide—oxide system; A thermoanalytical study

The structural and phase changes occurring in the ferric hydroxide gel, alumina gel and the coprecipitated ferric—aluminium hydroxide—oxide system are studied by thermoanalytical and X-ray diffraction techniques. The conversion of hydrated ferric oxide to hematite takes place through γ-Fe₂O₃ and alumina gel to oxide occurs through hydrargellite, bohemite as intermediate. The occurrence of solid solutions below 10 mole % of alumina, i.e. interstitial solid solution up to 1.5 mole %, then substitutional solid solution up to 3.43 mole % and thereafter separation of phases is observed. For higher concentrations of alumina, zones enriched in either hydrated iron oxide or aluminum oxyhydroxide are noticed.     

Thermogravimetric study of the reduction of CuO–WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> oxide mixtures in the entire range of molar ratios

The present study reports the results of investigation on the role of metakaolin in the formation of ettringite in a model relevant to Portland cement. The model consists of ternary system (Trio) metakaolin–lime–gypsum. Five samples of defined ternary system were cured at different temperatures 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C. Conduction calorimeter TAM AIR was mainly used to capture heat evolution at different temperatures. Thermoanalytical (simultaneous TGA/DSC) and X-ray diffraction methods were used to identify different products after curing. It results that ettringite is the main hydration product supplemented by calcium silicate and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates according to sample composition. The mechanism and kinetics of hydration, as displayed by calorimetric curves, depend on composition of samples and curing temperatures. Two main types of processes have been elucidated: reaction of aluminum ions with sulfate ones in the presence of calcium ions in aqueous solution to form ettringite supplemented by pozzolanic activity leading to the formation of calcium silicate and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates. Concomitant condensation of alumina and silica species and carbonation have influenced the course of hydration. Activation energy E _a depends slightly on composition of ternary system.     

Thermogravimetrical analysis for monitoring carbonation of cementitious materials

Cement paste carbonation, i.e., the reaction between CO₂ and the hydrated cement phases, mainly calcium hydroxide or portlandite, can lead to a pH decrease, which in turn can give rise to steel corrosion in reinforced concrete. At the same time, the carbonation reaction contributes to combine CO₂ and fix it as calcium carbonate. It is a crucial phenomenon from the point of view of structure durability and also for cement-based materials sustainability. Cement paste specimens with two w/c ratios and eight types of cements were submitted to different environmental conditions for 4?years and the evolution of calcium carbonate formed or carbon dioxide bound was followed by TG performed in inert atmosphere. The amounts of calcium hydroxide, evaporable and C?CS?CH gel water were also measured. The CO₂ bound follows the same trend in all samples and environments: at the beginning there is a sharp increase followed by a very slow stretch and reaching a maximum after less than 2?years in most cases. The calcium hydroxide amounts evolve very differently in each environment. While outside it is almost consumed after 1?year, inside there is a decrease in the first year, but an increase in the next 3?years. The behavior of the C?CS?CH water in both environments is similar to that of the portlandite inside. The evaporable water diminishes in all cases to 1?%. From the data obtained by TG, the quantification of the C?CS?CH gel as well as the calculation of the Ca/Si ratio and the hydration of the gel formed by different type of binders has been possible.     

Characterization and assessment of Saudi clays raw material at different area

The general characteristics of three types of clays obtained from the different locations in Saudi Arabia have been investigated. These clays were compared with those of pure kaolin samples. Clays were analyzed by DTA, TGA, SEM, X-ray diffraction, chemical composition (XRF) and optical properties. Three clays are white clay (WC), red clay (RC) from Jeddah area and grey clay (GC) from Elmadina area. The comparison made with Spain clay as pure kaoline (KA). The clays contain kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite and quartz. Quartz is present in every class and varies between 45% and 20%. Montmorillonite is found mainly in the WC (50%) and are lacking only in sample RC and GC. Another important aspect with respect to the chemical composition of the clays is the low amounts of Na₂O and K₂O. The clay deposits (WC, RC, and GC) are suitable for use in industrial ceramics due to the low whiteness, high yellowness and high content of impurities as montmorillonite and iron. This is an important technological aspect that renders possible use of clay RC and GC in the fabrication of products with a cream tonality, especially in roofing tiles and rustic floor tiles. The results also, showed that the studied clays have adequate characteristics for ceramics wall, floor, roof tiles, tableware, earthenware and brick fabrication.     

Synthesis and characterisation of copper(II) hydroxide gels

The formation of copper(II) hydroxide gels from aqueous precursors requires very critical conditions. Gels have been obtained by adding ammonia to aqueous solutions of copper(II) acetate, in the presence of a small amount of sulphate ions. Other salts (chloride, nitrate, sulphate) or bases (NaOH, KOH) lead to precipitation rather than gelation. These gels are actually made of an intimate mixture of acetate-based organic/inorganic polymers and nanometric posjnakite crystals Cu₄(OH)₆(SO₄) · H₂O. Acetate ions and ammonia can be partially removed upon washing, which after drying leads to crystalline copper(II) hydroxide needles deposited on a strongly oriented layer of posjnakite crystals. A theoretical model based on the electronegativity equalisation principle is used to describe these experimental results. It provides a better understanding of the role of complexing anions during the formation of condensed phases.     

Studies on the development of activated binary clay and corrosion monitoring using embedded sensor

Bentonite and marconite are the low resistance moisture retaining conductive backfill materials used in earthing applications. Both the products contains some drawbacks: bentonite has limited moisture retaining capacity and marconite has 15–20% impurities which will corrode the earth connections resulting in the loss of the system which are found to be very expensive. Taking into consideration of the above drawbacks, the present study aimed at developing a cost effective and highly conductive backfill material for earthing application with improved performance. For this study, commercially available bentonite and metakaolin (binary) clay was activated through physical, chemical and thermal treatments and the corrosion performance of binary clay was evaluated by using mild steel (MS) and galvanized (GI) steel Among the three activation methods, chemical activation method was found beneficial for mild steel in binary clay media. The conductivity of the chemically activated clay was 204.7 mS/cm, pH was 12.58, and the particle size distribution was found to be 40–50 µm indicates the better corrosion resistance and quite suitable for earthing applications. Chemical activation of the clay mainly involves the breaking of bonds and dissolution of the three-dimensional network structure of glass which in turn cause Na⁺ ions move closer to the center point of crystal structure and the solubility of SiO₂ in clay markedly increases. Potential-time studies showed that galvanizing loses its coating property within ten days in all the three type of clays used. Activation process significantly reduced the corrosion rate (44 and 74 times) in the case of thermally activated (TAC) and chemically activated clay (CAC) respectively. Earth excavation studies were conducted to monitor the corrosion of MS and GI using embedded MnO₂ sensor. This investigation opens up a lot of scope for utilizing activated binary clay for all earthing applications.     

Über kristallines Chrom(III)hydroxid. I

When hydroxide ions are added to a solution of Cr(H₂O)₆³⁺ ions at low temperature a well crystallized chromium hydroxide hydrate is formed, corresponding to the formula [Cr(OH)₃-(H₂O)₃]_∞. Its structure is the inverse of bayerite type, two thirds of the octahedral M³⁺ positions being vacant. It loses water easily and turns into a totally amorphous hydroxide of variable water content. An amorphous hydroxide is also obtained when solutions are alkalized at higher temperatures or when aged solutions (containing polynuclear complexes) are used.     

Selective adsorption and chiral amplification of amino acids in vermiculite clay-implications for the origin of biochirality

Smectite clays are hydrated layer silicates that, like micas, occur naturally in abundance. Importantly, they have readily modifiable interlayer spaces that provide excellent sites for nanochemistry. Vermiculite is one such smectite clay and in the presence of small chain-length alkyl-NH(3)Cl ions forms sensitive, 1-D ordered model clay systems with expandable nano-pore inter-layer regions. These inter-layers readily adsorb organic molecules. n-Propyl NH(3)Cl vermiculite clay gels were used to determine the adsorption of alanine, lysine and histidine by chiral HPLC. The results show that during reaction with fresh vermiculite interlayers, significant chiral enrichment of either L- and D-enantiomers occurs depending on the amino acid. Chiral enrichment of the supernatant solutions is up to about 1% per pass. In contrast, addition to clay interlayers already reacted with amino acid solutions resulted in little or no change in D/L ratio during the time of the experiment. Adsorption of small amounts of amphiphilic organic molecules in clay inter-layers is known to produce Layer-by-Layer or Langmuir-Blodgett films. Moreover atomistic simulations show that self-organization of organic species in clay interlayers is important. These non-centrosymmetric, chirally active nanofilms may cause clays to act subsequently as chiral amplifiers, concentrating organic material from dilute solution and having different adsorption energetics for D- and L-enantiomers. The additional role of clays in RNA oligomerization already postulated by Ferris and others, together with the need for the organization of amphiphilic molecules and lipids noted by Szostak and others, suggests that such chiral separation by clays in lagoonal environments at normal biological temperatures might also have played a significant role in the origin of biochirality.     

Artificial pozzolanic cement pastes containing burnt clay with and without silica fume

Pozzolanic cement blends were prepared by the partial substitution of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with different percentages of burnt clay (BC), Libyan clay fired at 700 °C, of 10, 20, and 30%. The pastes were made using an initial water/solid ratio of 0.30 by mass of each cement blend and hydrated for 1, 3, 7, 28, and 90 days. The pozzolanic OPC–BC blend containing 30% BC was also admixed with 2.5 and 5% silica fume (SF) to improve the physicomechanical characteristics. The hardened pozzolanic cement pastes were subjected to compressive strength and hydration kinetics tests. The results of compressive strength indicated slightly higher values for the paste made of OPC–BC blend containing 10% BC The results of DSC and XRD studies indicated the formation and later the stabilization of calcium silicates hydrates (CSH) and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates (C₃ASH₄ and C₂ASH₈) as the main hydration products in addition to free calcium hydroxide (CH). Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination revealed that the pozzolanic cement pastes made of OPC–BC mixes possesses a denser structure than that of the neat OPC paste. Furthermore, the addition of SF resulted in a further densification of the microstructure of the hardened OPC–BC–SF pastes; this was reflected on the observed improvement in the compressive strength values at all ages of hydration.     

The behaviour of micro-bitumen drops in aqueous clay environments

This study summarises the rheological behaviour of emulsion bitumen drops in the presence of aqueous solutions of de-ionised or process water (DIW or PW) containing montmorillonite clays (M) and/or calcium ions (Ca++). The presence of calcium ions and montmorillonite clays resulted in the plastic behaviour of bitumen drops. In a DIW+M+Ca++ system, increasing temperature and calcium ion concentration resulted in an increase in the number and degree of plastic bitumen drops. In the presence of considerable amounts of Ca++ ions and/or at higher experimental temperature, bitumen drops in a PW+M system exhibited no significant overall plasticity of their surfaces. Both calcium and sodium ions contained in process water compete with each other to occupy the montmorillonite clay surface. At the pH value of process water (pH congruent with8), increasing the temperature did not change the value of bitumen droplet zeta potential. Stability of bitumen-in-water emulsions at 22 degrees C showed that bitumen droplets coalesced upon contact in the DIW+M system. The addition of calcium ions (Ca++) led to the inhibition of coagulation and coalescence of bitumen droplets, which may indicate the formation of CaM aggregates at the bitumen-water interface.     

Evidence for the Formation of Trioctahedral Clay upon Sorption of Co on Quartz

The sorption mechanism of Co on quartz at room temperature has been investigated by an in-depth analysis of published extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and solution chemistry data. In particular, the 3.5–5 Å mid-range atomic environment of Co has been determined with unprecedented precision by combining ad initio FEFF7.02 calculations and results obtained by polarized EXAFS on the mid-distance structure of sheet silicate minerals. The local atomic environment around sorbed Co atoms is identical to that of Co in trioctahedral clays and substantially different from that in the cobalt hydroxide Co(OH)_2(s). Neoformation of a trioctahedral clay is consistent with calculated thermodynamic solubilities, which indicate that 2:1 and 1:1 Co-rich hydrous silicates, similar to kerolite and chrysotile, are less soluble than Co(OH)_2(s). Consequently, precipitation of Co-rich clay is favored over that of Co(OH)_2(s) at pH values below 9 and for a dissolved Si concentration equal to quartz solubility. New experimental data show that dissolved Si concentrations can approach, and even exceed, that of quartz solubility during the short times of sorption experiments. Based on the available data, it is not possible to conclude unequivocally if the Co layer silicate grew epitaxially on the quartz surface, topotactically in a surface amorphous layer, or independently of the quartz framework structure. The structural and chemical interpretation is supported by recent published studies in which sorption of a hydrolyzable cation leads to the neoformation of a mixed layer phase formed from the sorbate species and the sorbent metal. This surface-induced precipitation mechanism is a general phenomenon that may account for the formation of secondary clays as coatings on silicates.     

Hydrated Clay for Catalyst Removal in Copper Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

A simple method has been described to remove catalyst from the copper mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of benzyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate in anisole at 25 °C using hydrated natural clay (sodium montmorillonite, Na‐clay). The method consists of (1) addition of hydrated clay (Cu^I/clay ≈ 5 wt.‐%) either during or after the polymerization, (2) oxidation of catalyst complex by exposing the terminated reaction mixture in air, and (3) filtration to obtain catalyst free polymer solution. A strong coordination of CuBr‐ligand complex onto hydrated clay (10 wt.‐% < H₂O/clay < 30 wt.‐%) upon oxidation resulted in polymers with no or insignificant residual catalyst (<1.74 ppm), as determined by UV‐vis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The recovered clay exhibited expanded intercalary layers and absence of polymer within it.

     

Tailoring micropore dimensions in pillared clays for enhanced gas adsorption

A systematic investigation has been undertaken for tailoring the micropore structure of the pillared clay. Besides the type of metal oxide (e.g. Al₂O₃ vs. ZrO₂) being used as the pillars, the important factors for determining the micropore structure are OH/Al ratio (for Al₂O₃-pillared clay), calcination temperature and the starting clay. The effect of the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the clay on the microporous structure (and consequently the adsorption properties) is reported for the first time. Two clays with widely different CECs are used: Arizona montmorillonite (CEC = 1.40 mequiv./g) and Wyoming montmorillonite (CEC = 0.76 mequiv./g). The interlayer spacings of the pillared clays from these different clays are essentially the same, since the interlayer spacing is controlled by the sizes of the oligomers that intercalate between the clay layers. However, the pillar density in the pillared clay is substantially higher with a high CEC in the starting clay, and is shown to be approximately proportional to the CEC. Consequently, the interpillar spacing is substantially lower resulting from the higher CEC. The CH₄ adsorption on the pillared clay is nearly doubled by the smaller interpillar spacing, due to the back-to-back overlapping potential in the micropores. The N₂ adsorption was not significantly influenced because of its low polarizability (hence low inductive potential). Increasing the calcination temperature of the Al₂O₃-pillared clay from 400°C to 600°C can decrease the interlayer spacing, but only by 1 (from 8.7 to 7.7 ). The CH₄/N₂ adsorption ratio of 2.35 is reached on the Al₂O₃-pillared Arizona clay that is calcined at 600°C. Finally, the surface and pore volume are influenced by the OH/Al ratio (or pH) during pillaring, since this ratio determines the size and charge of the oligomers. A peak surface area is reached at OH/Al = 2.2.     

Aspects on the interaction between sodium carboxymethylcellulose and calcium carbonate and the relationship to specific site adsorption

The mechanisms of adsorption and association for sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) in calcium carbonate suspensions have been determined from isothermal calorimetry and adsorption measurements. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were determined by two different methods of separation; a depletion method and a serum exchange method. The enthalpy of dilution for NaCMC was determined on supernatants obtained from the calcium carbonate suspensions in order to investigate the interaction between NaCMC and dissolved species from the mineral. For comparison, NaCMC was injected into CaCl(2) solutions in order to determine the role of calcium ions in the adsorption process. The initial part of the adsorption isotherm showed a quasi-infinite slope indicating a high affinity for the NaCMC to the calcium carbonate surface, which was significantly reduced when anionic sodium polyacrylate was preadsorbed onto the calcium carbonate implying competitive adsorption. An endothermic enthalpy change was observed between the NaCMC and the calcium carbonate surface, suggesting attachment of the carboxylic acid groups onto the hydrated calcium sites. A similar endothermic enthalpy was observed when NaCMC was injected into CaCl(2) solutions or supernatants obtained from the calcium carbonate suspensions, indicating a complexation of carboxylic acid groups and hydrated calcium ions. It was concluded that the mechanisms of interaction of NaCMC in calcium carbonate suspensions are primarily an association between NaCMC and Lewis acid sites on the calcium carbonate surface and the formation of NaCMC-Ca(2+) complexes in the bulk solution, both of which will be affected by the amount of anionic sodium polyacrylate present.