Spectroscopic study of phase transitions in natural calcite mineral

The process and the formation of new minerals upon heating the carbonate rocks containing clay minerals, together with calcite are determined with thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The calcite-calcium oxide phase transition sequence was followed up to 947 degrees C in naturally occurring limestone samples. The spectral variations of the internal modes of the carbonate trigonal (nu(1), nu(2), nu(3) and nu(4)) were used to probe the structural phase transitions. The calcium oxide phase (which on reaction with atmospheric water forms portlandite) with an onset temperature of around 950 degrees C was also characterized by the appearance of the infrared mode around 450 cm(-1). The minerals, which were formed upon heating the calcite, were calcium oxide and wollastonite.     

BET Measurements: Outgassing of Minerals

Outgassing minerals at elevated temperatures prior to BET measurements can lead to phase changes, especially in the case of amorphous and poorly crystalline materials. In order to evaluate the applicability of the BET method when low outgassing temperatures are required, selected aquifer minerals were outgassed at different temperatures and for different times. The studied minerals are 2-line ferrihydrite, goethite, lepidocrocite, quartz, calcite, alpha-alumina, and kaolinite. The results demonstrate that measured specific surface areas of iron oxides are strongly dependent on outgassing conditions because the surface area increased by 170% with increasing temperature. In the poorly crystalline minerals, phase changes caused by heating were observed at temperatures lower than 100 degrees C. Therefore low outgassing temperatures are preferable for minimizing phase changes. As demonstrated in this study, stable BET values can be obtained by increasing the outgassing time without heating iron oxides. For quartz, calcite, alpha-alumina, and kaolinite, stable BET values were obtained after outgassing the minerals at 100 to 250 degrees C for 2 h. However, outgassing these minerals at room temperature (20 degrees C) only resulted in minor errors, implying that aquifer sediments containing poorly crystalline materials can be outgassed at low temperatures if the outgassing time is increased. Scanning electron microscopy of the studied minerals demonstrated that the particle size as calculated from BET data compares well with particle size observed by scanning electron microscopy images. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Transformation of vaterite into calcite in the absence and the presence of copper(II) species

The transformation of vaterite into calcite may be performed by heating in the presence and the absence of oxygen. Vaterite remains thermally stable until a calcination temperature of 450°C. It transforms progressively to calcite up to 500°C giving two exothermic peaks: 1) at 481°C due to the transformation of vaterite surface which is in contact with a small amount of calcite phase already formed with the time on the solid surface from the humidity atmosphere; 2) at 491°C due to the transformation of pure vaterite bulk. The calcite phase remains stable until 700°C. Above this temperature the formation of CaO is observed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal behaviour of some minerals

Thermal behaviour of some minerals (kaolinite, halloysite, two montmorillonites, quartz and calcite) for different sample amounts and heating rates has been investigated using differential thermal analysis. On the basis of the DTA analysis carried out, the PA curves of each mineral have been obtained for different heating rates. These diagrams can be employed in the semiquantitative evaluation of identical substances contained in uncharacterized polymineral samples.     

准东煤灰化过程中的矿物演变及矿物添加剂对其灰熔融特性的影响

利用低温灰化、高温灰化和X射线衍射物相分析相结合的方法对准东煤中矿物质在加热过程中的演变规律进行了研究。结果表明,准东煤中原始矿物质以方解石、高岭石为主,随着燃烧温度的升高,煤灰中矿物质最终生成了铁橄榄石、硅酸钙等。此外,向准东煤中掺加不同比例的高岭土和刚玉混合添加剂,发现随着SiO₂/Al₂O₃比值的降低,煤中生成了钙矾石、钙铝榴石等高熔点物质,准东煤的灰熔点逐步升高。     

Thermal and Structural Study of Low Grade Graphite Ore From Shivaganga,India — Its Implications in Beneficiation Process

In this paper an attempt has been made to characterize the low grade calcareous graphite ore from Shivaganga region, India. By judicious combination of structural, thermal and chemical analytical techniques, the liberation size of graphite as well as estimation of minerals are determined to establish a feasible beneficiation process. This data show a good correlation. The ore consists of graphite, calcite and quartz as major minerals. The d-values and decomposition of calcite are found maximum at two size fractions i.e., +500 and below 90 microns. The TG and chemical analysis data on quantitative minerals estimation confirms that calcite significantly liberates below 90 micron size fraction and accounts for 60% calcite and 10% graphite minerals distribution. The DTA data show that calcite decomposes between 700–850°C and graphite starts combustion at 850°C. In view of this, to achieve calcite free graphite the ore needs to be calcined below 850°C and ground to 80% passing 75 micron size prior to flotation.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Remote Raman and fluorescence studies of mineral samples

In the present study, we investigated remote laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), at a distance of 4.8 m, of a variety of natural minerals and rocks, and Hawaiian Ti (Cordyline terminalis) plant leaves. These minerals included calcite cleavage, calcite onex and calcite travertine, gypsum, fluorapatite, Dover flint and chalk, chalcedony and nephelene syenite, and rubies containing rock. Pulsed laser excitation of the samples at 355 and 266 nm often resulted in strong fluorescence. The LIF bands in the violet-blue region at approximately 413 and approximately 437 nm were observed only in the spectrum of calcite cleavage. The green LIF bands with band maxima in the narrow range of approximately 501-504 nm were observed in the spectra of all the minerals with the exception of the nephelene syenite and ruby rocks. The LIF red bands were observed in the range approximately 685-711 nm in all samples. Excitation with 532 nm wavelength laser gave broad but relatively low fluorescence background in the low-frequency region of the Raman spectra of these minerals. One microsecond signal gating was effective in removing nearly all background fluorescence (with peak at approximately 610 nm) from calcite cleavage Raman spectra, indicating that the fluorescence was probably from long-lifetime inorganic phosphorescence.     

Study of the MS response by TG–MS in an acid mine drainage efflorescence

The aim of this study is to employ a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled to a mass spectrometer to research into the influence of heating rate and sample mass on the response of the detector. That response is examined by means of a particular efflorescence taken from an acid mine drainage environment. This mixture of weathered products is mainly composed by secondary sulfate minerals, which are formed in evaporation conditions, appearing as efflorescence salts. Thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry has been used to analyze the three main loss steps that happen when this combination of minerals is heated from 30 to 1,100 °C. This inorganic material is based on a mixture of hexahydrite, zinc sulfate hexahydrate, apjonite, gypsum, plumbojarosite, calcite, quartz, and magnetite. While heating, three main effluent gases evolved from this efflorescence. At a standard heating rate of 10 °C/min, loss of water (dehydration) occurred over 30–500 °C in four major steps, loss of carbon dioxide (decarbonisation) occurred over 200–800 °C in three steps, and loss of sulfur trioxide (desulfation) occurred over 400–1,100 °C in three steps. According to the results, thermal analysis is an excellent technique for the study of decomposition in these systems.     

Reactions of calcite and dolomite with iron(III) sulfate solutions

Effect of the composition of carbonate minerals on the precipitation of iron from Fe(III) sulfate solutions under conditions of their partial neutralization with calcite and dolomite was studied.     

From synthetic to biogenic Mg-containing calcites: a comparative study using FTIR microspectroscopy

The formation mechanism of the thermodynamically unstable calcite phase, very high Mg calcite, in biological organisms such as sea urchin or corallina algae has been an enigma for a very long time. In contrast to conventional methods such as KBr pellet Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR microspectroscopy (FTIRM) provides additional information about a local disorder such as an amorphous phase or the occlusion of Mg ions in the calcite lattice. In this work, we characterise for the first time systematically synthetic and biogenic Mg-containing calcium carbonate samples (especially sea urchin teeth--SUT) in detail by using two FTIRM instruments and compare these samples with KBr pellet FTIR measurements. Furthermore, we present spectra from geogenic calcite and dolomite minerals, recorded with both FTIRM systems, as well as KBr pellet FTIR spectra as references. We analyse the spectra by applying multi-peak curve fitting on the in-plane-bending (ν(4)) and out-of-plane (ν(2)) bands. Based on the obtained results we attribute the two singlet bands at ～860-865 cm(-1) and ～695-704 cm(-1) observed in the SUT FTIRM spectra to the existence of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), and report for the first time the existence of ACC at the mature end of SUT. In the other three studied biominerals, however, we did not find any ACC. Also, based on the FTIRM results, we observe that not only ν(4), but also ν(2) shifts to higher wavenumbers if more calcium ions are replaced by magnesium ions in the calcite lattices.     

Thermophysical properties of oil shale minerals

The thermal diffusivity values of eight minerals that are commonly associated with oil shales of the Green River formation have been measured by the laser flash technique. Data are presented in the temperature range 25–500°C for quartz, dolomite, calcite, plagioclase, analcite, pyrite, potassium feldspar and low albite. A comparison of the thermal conductivities of some of these minerals, calculated from experimentally measured thermal diffusivity and density, with the experimental values reported in the literature reveals good agreement. Trends in the variation of thermal diffusivity with temperature and anisotropic effects in thermophysical parameters are discussed from the point of view of grain boundary effects in these polycrystalline mineral aggregates.     

Temperature and pressure effects on zeta potential values of reservoir minerals

An experimental study of the effect of temperature and pressure on zeta potential of typical reservoir minerals, including quartz, kaolinite, and calcite, is presented. Experiments included the design and construction of an electrophoretic cell for zeta potential measurements at variable pressure and temperature. Electrolyte concentration was varied in the range from 0.0001 to 0.1 M in the pH range from 2 to 9. For all the minerals it is found that the zeta potential decreases with temperature at a rate characteristic of each mineral; values are around -2.3 mV/degrees C for quartz, -0.96 mV/degrees C for kaolinite, and -2.1 mV/degrees C for calcite for pressure values less than 45 psi. The effect of pressure is found to depend on the mineral nature and pH of the electrolytic solution. In the case of quartz, a systematic increase in the value of the zeta potential with pressure is observed, whereas a decreasing trend is measured for the kaolinite. In the case of calcite, a decreasing trend is observed for pressures up to 45 psi, whereas the experimental data suggest an increasing trend for higher pressure values.     

P(St-co-MAA)乳液体系对CaCO3结晶的调控

大量研究表明, 有机/无机界面上的相互作用[1]是控制无机结晶的晶型、形貌、粒径等特征的决定因素. 本文利用乳液聚合方法合成了在诱导无机矿化后依然保持较为刚性界面的、能与无机离子作用的微球, 并在乳液中进行碳酸钙结晶实验, 用XRD, FTIR和SEM等手段对结晶进行了表征.     

Microbially induced separation of quartz from calcite using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their metabolites were successfully utilized to achieve selective separation of quartz and calcite through microbially induced flotation and flocculation. S. cerevisiae was adapted to calcite and quartz minerals. Adsorption studies and electrokinetic investigations were carried out to understand the changes in the surface chemistry of yeast cells and the minerals after mutual interaction. Possible mechanisms in microbially induced flotation and flocculation are outlined.     

Laser induced metastable phases in microcrystalline silicon

It has been found using Raman spectroscopy that metastable Si phases reversibly appear in silicon microparticles (µ-Si) due to local heating on increasing the power of a He–Ne excitation laser from 0.03 to 3 mW. Prolonged annealing of these phases by laser radiation makes it possible to estimate that local heating occurs to a temperature of ∼250 °C rather than 1000 °C as it was believed previously.     

High‐Magnesium Calcite Mesocrystals: Formation in Aqueous Solution under Ambient Conditions

Mesocrystals of high‐magnesian calcites are commonly found in biogenic calcites. Under ambient conditions, it remains challenging to prepare mesocrystals of high‐magnesian calcite in aqueous solution. We report that mesocrystals of calcite with magnesium content of about 20 mol % can be obtained from the phase transformation of magnesian amorphous calcium carbonate (Mg‐ACC) in lipid solution. The limited water content on the Mg‐ACC surface would reduce the extent of the dissolution–reprecipitation process and bias the phase transformation pathway toward solid‐state reaction. We infer from the selected area electron diffraction patterns and the dark‐field transmission electron microscopic images that the formation of Mg‐calcite mesocrystals occurs through solid‐state secondary nucleation, for which the phase transformation is initiated near the mineral surface and the crystalline phase propagates gradually toward the interior part of the microspheres of Mg‐ACC.     

高温气化条件下煤直接液化残渣中矿物质演化行为的研究

利用XRD和FT-IR分析了高温(1 100~1 500 ℃)气化条件下液化残渣中矿物质的演变行为,并利用穆斯堡尔谱仪对残渣灰中的含铁相及铁的价态铁进行了定量分析。结果表明,煤直接液化残渣中的主要矿物质为石英、硫酸钙、紫铝铁矾、磁黄铁矿、高岭石和方解石。高温气化条件下残渣灰中主要矿物质为钙长石、钙黄长石、磁赤铁矿和磁铁矿。由于钙长石、钙黄长石等含钙化合物低温共熔作用,使得残渣灰具有较低的熔融温度。残渣灰中的含铁相主要为磁赤铁矿、磁铁矿、铁橄榄石和玻璃体,并且随温度的升高,玻璃体中的铁含量逐渐增加。同时,残渣灰中Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺出现先增加后降低再增加的变化趋势。当温度由1 100 ℃升高至1 200 ℃时,由于磁赤铁矿的还原,Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺由1.08升高至2.39;1 200 ℃以上Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺的变化不明显。另外,玻璃体中铁含量的增加是引起残渣灰液相含量随温度升高而增加的重要原因,铁含量高是导致残渣灰熔融温度低的主要原因。     

Application of simplified desorption method to study on sorption of neptunium(V) on montmorillonite-based mixtures

To elucidate the sorption behaviors of radionuclides in multi-mineral systems and the mutual effects of minerals on this sorption, we carried out the sorption and desorption experiments of neptunium(V) on Na-montmorillonite-based two-mineral phasic systems (montmorillonite–calcite, montmorillonite–apatite). In the montmorillonite–calcite system, the sorption on the montmorillonite moiety decreased with increasing calcite content due to interference by the calcium ions dissolved from the calcite moiety, while no accumulation of Np to the calcite was observed. Total sorption of Np on the montmorillonite–apatite system was larger than that on apatite-free Na-montmorillonite, but the sorption on the montmorillonite moiety in this system was less than that on apatite-free Na-montmorillonite. Under weakly acid and neutral pH conditions, Np accumulated on the apatite moiety in a short period. At final pH 4 or less, though the pH condition was sufficient to dissolve the apatite moiety completely, the sorption very slowly increased with time and the increased Np was unexchangeable with 1 M KCl solution. This increase of the unexchangeable sorption cannot be explained by the knowledge accumulated so far.     

Determination of the critical surface tension of wetting of minerals treated with surfactants by shear flocculation approach

This paper contributes the shear flocculation method as a new approach to determine the critical surface tension of wetting of minerals treated with surfactants. This newly developed approach is based on the decrease of the shear flocculation of the mineral suspension, with decreasing of the surface tension of the liquids used. The solution surface tension value at which shear flocculation does not occur can be defined as the critical surface tension of wetting (gamma c) of the mineral. By using the shear flocculation method, the critical surface tensions of wetting (gamma c) for calcite and barite minerals, treated with surfactants, were obtained as 30.9 and 35.0 mN/m, respectively. These values are in good agreement with data reported previously on the same minerals obtained by the contact angle measurement and flotation methods. The chemical agents used for the treatment of calcite and barite particles were sodium oleate and sodium dodecyl sulfate, respectively.