Home / Vol. 22 No. 1 (2016)
Analytical Study for Physicochemical Characteristics of Bentonite Clay in Libya
Mohammad, Al. Al-Mahabis, Ibrahim, S. Shaban, Saeed, N. Wadi, Khald, S. El.Kerikshi
Libya
DOI: 10.68482/prj.2016.22.013 · Published Dec 2016 · Section: Exploration · Pages: 144–151
Abstract
This study highlights the mechanism of formation for Bentonite clay surface properties. It investigates specific gravity and the influence of physicochemical characteristics on clay stability of structural forces on adsorbed water molecules. In particular, it describes the chemical composition, as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC). Bentonite clay is collected from the Murzuq city located 1150 km south of Tripoli i.e. southernmost town of Libya. The CEC value is leached by 500ppm Ca+2 at pH=8 equaled 84.5 mmoles/kg. While at pH=2, the value is (20.5 mmoles/kg). The leaching process is carried out by 500ppm K+ using flame emission photometer. The CEC value at pH =8 for sample is 91.5 mmoles/kg. Also the specific gravity is found to be 2.597. This value is in agreement with the obtained standard values for Wyoming (USA). The % MxOy of the clay is calculated by gravimetric method as follows: SiO2, 53.75; Al2O3, 21.46; Fe2O3, 1.4;CaO, 0.97; MgO, 2.13, and agreed with the XRF analysis as follows: SiO2, 54.93; Al2O3, 21.46; Fe2O3, 1.71; MgO, 3.18 ; CaO, 0.81; Na2O, 5.48; K2O, 0.54; TiO2,0.32. The results are adequately approximate and reasonable for both methods. The percent is very limited for trace elements Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn. In the sample, it is about 0.21%. The result of XRD analysis (intensities) for sample is presented as follows: 50% quartz, 50% kaolinite, 5% Analcine, 7.5% Illite, 5% Natrolite, 10% Nontronite, 7% Montmorillonite. The formula calculation depends on the purity of clay and consequently the structural formula for Libyan Bentonite is: K0.094Na1.45Ca0.118 (Al2.92Fe0.175Ti0.033Mg0.646)VI( Al0.52Si7.48 )IVO20(OH) 4.
Keywords
Physicochemical properties, XRD, XRF, FT-IR, Structural formula
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