Facile synthesis of hierarchical NaX zeolite from natural kaolinite for efficient Knoevenagel condensation

Zeolite catalysts have found extensive applications in the synthesis of various fine chemicals.However,the micropores of zeolites impose diffusion limitations on bulky molecules,greatly reducing the catalytic efficiency.Herein,we explore an economic and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing hierarchical NaX zeolite that exhibits improved catalytic performance in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction for producing the useful fine chemical 2-cyano-3-phenylacrylate.The synthesis was achieved via a low-temperature activation of kaolinite and subsequent in-situ transformation strategy without any template or seed.Systematic characterizations reveal that the synthesized NaX zeolite has both intercrystalline and intra-crystalline mesopores,smaller crystal size,and larger external specific surface area compared to commercial NaX zeolite.Detailed mechanism investigations show that the inter-crystalline mesopores are generated by stacking smaller crystals formed from in-situ crystallization of the depolymerized kaolinite,and the intra-crystalline mesopores are inherited from the pores in the depolymerized kaolinite.This synthesis strategy provides an energy-saving and effective way to construct hierarchical zeolites,which may gain wide applications in fine chemical manufacturing.

Physico-Chemical Study of the Adsorption of Carotenoids from Carrots on Raw and Modified Kaolinites

This study focuses on the adsorption at temperatures below 70℃, of carotenoids from carrots on clay materials such as kaolinite in the raw state, activated with a 0.5 M HCl solution or treated with a sodium solution of Al+. The kinetic study of carotenoid adsorption shows that equilibrium is reached after 30 minutes and the temperature has little influence on carotenoid adsorption. On the other hand, the quantities adsorbed at equilibrium increase with the initial concentration of carotenoids. The kinetic model that best describes the experimental data is that of the pseudo-second order, adsorption is made in two time. For the carotenoid adsorption isotherms, the best correlation is obtained with the Freundlich model. The low values of the Freundlich constants indicate that the adsorption is probably of a physical type. This conclusion is confirmed by the effective desorption of carotenoids observed during desorption experiments.

Formulation of Geopolymer Cements from Two Clays Containing Kaolinite and Muscovite: Effect of Temperature on the Physicomechanical Properties of the Products

The paper talks about the elaboration of geopolymer with two types of kaolinite clays containing muscovite. The kaolinite materials were first calcined at different temperatures, and mixed with an activator solution, called liquid precursor, at a different solid/liquid mass ratio depending on their normal consistency to produce geopolymer binders. Results show that the geopolymer products obtained from the different clays have good physichomechanical properties: their open porosity and their water absorption rate decrease while their compressive strength and their apparent density increase with the increase in calcination temperature of the clays. The density of GABD binders varies between 2.92 and 2.47 g/cm3 and that of GARD binders between 1.86 and 2.16 g/cm3. Specimens in the GABD series have the best mechanical performance, ranging from 14.43 to 31.37 MPa, while those in the GARD series oscillate between 6.18 and 11.56 MPa. These properties make kaolinite materials from this region suitable for use as construction materials for adequate waterproof structures.

Preparation of TiO_2/Kaolinite Nanocomposite and Its Photocatalytical Activity

Titanium dioxide/ kaolinite nanocomposite was prepared by the sol-gel method, with layered kaolinite as a substrate and Ti （ OC4H9 ）4 as a precursor. The effects of hydrolysis, drying and calcination on the production of nanometric titanium dioxide were discussed. The optimal conditions for preparation were＂ bbtained through experiments. The 1- 10 nrn thick monolayer anatase nano TiO2 crystal was produced under the conditions as follows： hydrolyzed at 37-42 ℃ for 4 h, dried at 70-80 ℃ for 1 h, and calcined at 550-650℃ for 3 h. The rate of degradation of 40 mg/ L azo dye and 20 mg/ L acid red dye can reuch 96% and 81.45%, respectively.

Electrochemical remediation of copper contaminated kaolinite by conditioning anolyte and catholyte pH simultaneously

This report examined electrochemical remediation of copper contaminated kaolinite by controlling electrolytes′ pH for both of anolyte and catholyte simultaneously. Results showed that electrokinetic process and remediation efficiency varied obviously when different buffer systems, including citric acid (test 1), nitric acid + EDTA (test 2) and nitric acid (test 3), were used to control catholyte pH and Na_2CO_3 was used at the same time to control all anolyte one. It was found that under such pH condition soil′s pH in soil column kept at 3.0—7.0 successfully, and correspondingly no copper precipitation and decrease of soil electroconductivity appeared, which are usually observed in electrokinetic process due to OH - introduction into soil column by electrochemical reaction occurred in cathode. Electroosmosis flow rates were almost equal for these three tests, indicating that these buffers did not affect Zeta-potential of kaolinite within the examined duration. More acid and basic solution was added into electrokinetic cell when nitric acid was used as buffer than when nitric acid + EDTA and then citric acid were used. Due to introduction of large amounts of ions into soil column, significant higher current was observed for test 3 than other two. Analysis of copper speciation and total quantity in kaolinite indicated that 22.5%, 23.74% and 55.65% Cu were removed from kaolinite for test 1, test 2 and test 3 respectively after only 10 days′ electrokinetic remediation.

Evaluation of flocculation characteristics of kaolinite dispersion system using guar gum:A green flocculant

This paper reports the systematic investigation on the flocculation,sedimentation and consolidation characteristics of kaolinite using guar gum as a green flocculant.In-situ flocculation behavior of kaolinite at various pH,guar gum dosages,and ionic strength were studied using a light scattering technique.The effect of these parameters on the settling rate,solid consolidation,and supernatant liquid clarity was recorded.The morphology of kaolinite and flocculated kaolinite aggregates were analyzed using FESEM.The morphology studies suggest that it is poorly crystalline with multiple steps on edge,broken edge;laminar with high aspect ratio and have rough basal surface.The complex irregularity on the basal surface and the presence of multiple steps in the edges,broken edges(hydroxyl groups)have facilitated the guar gum adsorption.The isoelectric point of kaolinite is pH 3.96.The pH,ionic strength and flocculant dosage have a significant effect on the kaolinite settling rate.The guar gum has exhibited excellent turbidity removal efficiency at pH 5.The turbidity removal is inefficient at pH 10.However,guar gum has shown high turbidity removal with 80%transmission at pH 10 in the presence of a KNO3 electrolyte.

Preparation and characterization of porous ceramics prepared by kaolinite gangue and Al(OH)_3 with double addition of MgCO_3 and CaCO_3

Porous ceramics were prepared from kaolinite gangue and Al（OH）3 with double addition of MgCO3 and CaCO3 by the pore-forming in-situ technique.The characterizations of porous ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffractometry,scanning electron microscopy,and mercury porosimetry measurements,etc.It is found that although the decomposition of MgCO3 and CaCO3 has little contribution to the porosity,the double addition of MgCO3 and CaCO3 strongly affects the formation of liquid phase,and then changes the phase compositions,pore characterization,and strength.The appropriate mode is the sample containing 1.17wt% MgCO3 and 1.17wt% CaCO3,which has high apparent porosity（41.0%）,high crushing strength（53.5 MPa）,high mullite content（76wt%）,and small average pore size（3.24 μm）.

Study on Adsorption of Rare Earth Elements by Kaolinite

For better understanding the adsorption of rare earth elements (REEs) by clay minerals and its controlling factors, the experiments on adsorption of REEs in solutions with 1 g·L-1 kaolinite were performed at different conditions. The results are as follows: the REEs reach equilibrium in the adsorption-desorption process for 24; Langmuir′s adsorption curve is used for modeling the adsorption of REEs by kaolinite; a general trend is that the higher the contents of REEs are, the less obvious the fractionation is. Furthermore, there is significant effect of pH on the adsorption and fractionation of REEs by kaolinite, and the REEs distribution coefficient increases with increasing pH. When pH is nearly neutral, as reaches 7, heavy REEs are more adsorbed than light REEs.

Orbital Calculations of Kaolinite Surface:on Substitution of Al^(3+) for Si^(4+) in the Tetrahedral Sites

The surface properties of kaolinite were determined using density functional theory discrete variational method （DFT-DVM） and Gaussian 03 program. A SiO4 tetrahedral hexagonal ring with two A1 octahedra was chosen to model the kaolinite crystal. The total density of states of the kaolinite cluster are located near the Fermi level at both sides of the Fermi level. Both the highest occupied molecular orbit （HOMO） and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit （LUMO） of kaolinite indicate that kaolinite system can not only readily interact with electron-acceptor species, but also readily interact with electron-donor species on the edge surface and the gibbsite layer surface, and thus, shows amphoteric behavior. Substitution of Al3^＋ for Si4＋ in the tetrahedral site linking the vacant Al3^＋ octahedra does not increase the surface chemical reactivity of kaolinite, while substitution of Al3^＋ for Si^4＋ in the tetrahedral site with the apex O linking Al3^＋ octahedra increase the surface chemical reactivity of the siloxane surface of kaolinite, especially acting as electron donors. Additionally, substitution of Al3^＋. for Si^4＋ in the tetrahedral site results in the re-balance of charges, leading to the increase of negative charge of the coordinated O atoms of the AlO4 tetrahedra, and therefore favoring the formation of ionic bonds between cations and the surface O atoms in the basal plane.

Molecular dynamics simulations of CH4 diffusion in kaolinite: influence of water content

Understanding the interaction of CH4 with kaolinite is significant for researchers in the fields of coalbed CH4 and shale gas.The diffusion behaviors of CH4 in kaolinite with water contents ranging from 0 to 5 wt% have been analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations.The results of the simulations indicate that CH4 molecules can jump between adjacent holes in the kaolinite matrix.CH4 diffusion coefficient was very low (3.28 × 10-9 m2/s) and increased linearly with the increasing of water content.As the water content decreased,the value of radial distribution function first peak between CH4 and oxygen was larger,meaning that with lower water content,the interaction energy between CH4 and oxygen in kaolinite is stronger.The interaction between CH4 and water is linearly positively correlated with water content,in contrast,the interaction energy between kaolinite and water as well as between kaolinite and CH4 decreased linearly with increasing water content.On the other hand,the diffusion of CH4 molecules adsorbed on the surfaces also can be accelerated by the fast diffusion of water molecules in the middle micropore of the kaolinite.

Flotation performance of a novel Gemini collector for kaolinite at low temperature

How to sustainably produce bauxite by effective reverse froth flotation of kaolinite at low temperature is an urgent problem to be solved in the field of mineral processing.In this work,a novel amino-based Gemini surfactant butadiyl-1,4-bis(dimethyl dodecylammonium bromide)(BBDB) was prepared and first utilized as a novel collector for kaolinite flotation.Its flotation performance for kaolinite was compared with that of the common monomolecular surfactant 1-dodecylamine(DDA) by micro-flotation tests.The tests results indicated that 95% kaolinite recovery was obtained using 2.0×10^(-4) mol/L BBDB at 25℃ which was half of the dosage when DDA obtained the maximum kaolinite recovery of81%.At extremely low temperature(0℃),3.0×10^(-4) mol/L BBDB could still collect 91% kaolinite,while DDA showed a frustrating ability.The contact angle tests indicated that BBDB could still significantly improve the hydrophobicity of the kaolinite surface(contact angle 71.7°) than DDA(contact angle only25.8°) at 0℃.The Krafft point comparison tests indicated that BBDB had a much lower Krafft point(below0℃) than DDA.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)-spectrum analysis and zeta potential measurements showed that BBDB was physically adsorbed on the surface of kaolinite through electrostatic interaction.

A novel depressor useful for flotation separation of diaspore and kaolinite

The floatation of the minerals diaspore and kaolinite was investigated using dodecylamine as the collector.Separating diaspore and kaolinite in a neutral pH pulp is difficult since they then have similar floatability.A depressor consisting of an AlCl3/Na2SiO3 mixture is demonstrated to solve this problem.Diaspore sinking may be seen when the ratio of AlCl3 to Na2SiO3 is 3:1.We refer to this mixture as ATNO.The influence of Al/Si ratio in the feedstock and the grain size of fed minerals on separation was examined.An Al/Si ratio in the concentrate greater than 11 may be obtained when the Al/Si ratio of the feed is between 2.53 and 4.96.However,the grain size of the diaspore greatly influences the concentrate grade.Finer grain size of the diaspore(<40 μm) in pulp makes the flotation separation less than ideal,no matter what the kaolinite grain size.

A series of aminoamides used for flotation of kaolinite

N-(2-aminoethyl)-dodecanamide, N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-dodecanamide, and N-(3-diethylaminoproyl)-dodecanamide used as collectors were studied for the flotation of kaolinite in the absence of additives at different pulp pHs as well as different collector contents. The effectiveness of the long chain aminoamides on pure kaolinite was demonstrated in laboratory scale flotation tests. The adsorption mechanism of the aminoamides onto kaolinite was investigated through zeta potential determinations and infrared spectrometry. The -98 μm size fractions of kaolinite, taken from Jiaxian Henan of China, were used in flotation. The hydrophilic group size of the aminoamides has a relatively less influence upon the floatability of pure kaolinite. The results suggest either the static-electric force or the coordinating bond adsorption mechanism of the aminoamides onto kaolinite depends on pulp pH.

Effects of Oxalic Acid Addition on the Hydrothermal Synthesis of Kaolinite

Kaolinite was hydrothermally synthesized from alumina gel and silicate by dissolving alumina gel in oxalic acid before it was mixed with silicate, effects of the amount of addition on the species of synthetic products were discussed. The reaction product was characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that analcite is the only phase of the reaction solution without oxalic acid, the proportion of kaolinite in product increases with the amount of addition, and kaolinite is the main species when the molar ratio of oxalic acid to alumina reaches 0.6∶1.0. This is because oxalic acid addition is beneficial to the formation of kaolinite through changing the coordination number of aluminium from four to six, while the mixture of alumina gel, before it was dissolved in oxalic acid with silicate interfered with the crystallization of kaolinite.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Characterization of Kaolinite from Assam and Meghalaya, Northeastern India

This study demonstrates the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic characterization of natural kaolinite from north-eastern India. The compositional and structural studies were carried out at room temperature by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron microprobe (EPMA) analyses and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques. The main peaks in the infrared spectra reflected Al-OH, Al-O and Si-O functional groups in the high frequency stretching and low frequency bending modes. Few peaks of infrared spectra inferred to the interference peaks for quartz as associated minerals. The present study demonstrates usefulness of the spectroscopic techniques in determining quality and crystalline nature of kaolinite from the Assam and Meghalaya, northeastern India.

First-principles study of atomic and electronic structures of kaolinite in soft rock

Kaolinite is a kind of clay mineral which often causes large deformations in soft-rock tunnel engineering and thus causes safety issues. To deal with these engineering safety issues, the physical/chemical properties of the kaolinite should be studied from basic viewpoints. By using the density-functional theory, in this paper, the atomic and the electronic structures of the kaolinite are studied within the local-density approximation （LDA）. It is found that the kaolinite has a large indirect band gap with the conduction band minimum （CBM） and the valence band maximum （VBM） being at the F and the B points, respectively. The chemical bonding between the cation and the oxygen anion in kaolinite is mainly ionic, accompanied by a minor covalent component. It is pointed that the VBM and the CBM of kaolinite consist of oxygen 2p and cation s states, respectively. The bond lengths between different cations and anions, as well as of the different OH groups, are also compared.

Flotation and adsorption of quaternary ammonium salts collectors on kaolinite of different particle size

The flotation behaviors of decyltrimethylammonium (103C), dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC), tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride (TTAC) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) on kaolinite of different particle size fraction were studied. The adsorbed amount and adsorption isotherms of collectors on kaolinite were determined for painstaking investigation into the adsorption of quaternary amines at kaolinite-water interface by ultraviolet spectrophotometer methods. The flotation results show that the flotation recovery of kaolinite of different particle fraction increases with an increase in pH when 103C, DTAC, TTAC and CTAC are used as collectors. As the concentration of collectors increases, the flotation recovery increases. Particle size of kaolinite has a strong effect on flotation. The flotation recovery of fine kaolinite decreases with the carbon chain of quaternary ammonium salts collectors increasing, while coarse kaolinite is on the contrary. The adsorbed amount tests and adsorption isotherms show that adsorbed amount increases when the particle size of kaolinite increases or when the carbon chain length of quaternary ammonium salts increases. Within the range of flotation collector concentration, the longer the hydrocarbon chain, the more probable to be absolutely adsorbed by fine kaolinite particles and then the lower the collector concentration in the bulk, which leds to lower flotation recovery.

Artificial neural network approach to assess selective flocculation on hematite and kaolinite

Because of the current depletion of high grade reserves, beneficiation of low grade ore, tailings produced and tailings stored in tailing ponds is needed to fulfill the market demand. Selective flocculation is one alternative process that could be used for the beneficiation of ultra-fine material. This process has not been extensively used commercially because of its complex dependency on process parameters. In this paper, a selective flocculation process, using synthetic mixtures of hematite and kaolinite in different ratios, was attempted, and the ad-sorption mechanism was investigated by Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy. A three-layer artificial neural network （ANN） model （4？4？3） was used to predict the separation performance of the process in terms of grade, Fe recovery, and separation efficiency. The model values were in good agreement with experimental values.

Genesis of Kaolinite Deposits in the Jungar Coalfield,North China:Petrological,Mineralogical and Geochemical Evidence

Petrological,mineralogical and geochemical studies carried out on kaolinite deposits in Haerwusu surface mine,Jungar Coalfield,northern Ordos Basin,North China,define their characteristics,ore genesis and economic interest.Based on the crystalline size,two different types of kaolinite rocks,cryptocrystalline and grainy,were identified under the microscope.XRD data show that kaolinite is the predominant mineral,associated with boehmite,magnesite,anatase,pyrite,diaspore and calcite.However,high boehmite content(mean 70%)shows up in the middle layers.Kaolinite minerals present homogeneous shape and a good crystallinity(HI=0.96–1.26).Geochemical studies show that the SiO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3)molar ratio of kaolinite is close to the theoretical value,and the contents of Na_(2)O,K_(2)O,CaO,Mg O are less,suggesting a strong chemical weathering environment.The REE and Eu anomalies show a close relationship between kaolinite and the Yinshan Oldland granite.A Ce anomaly reflects a continental sedimentary environment with shallow water.A temperature range of 26.7–34℃was calculated on the basis of the isotopic signatures(δ18O,δD)of the kaolinite rocks.All these data indicate that the formation of the kaolinite is caused mainly by the dissolution,coagulation,precipitation and recrystallization of aluminosilicate clastics in acidic conditions.The formation of boehmite in the middle layers indicates that the source rocks have changed.Boehmite is mainly formed by dehydration and compaction of an aluminum-rich colloid which transported into peat swamp during diagenesis.In addition,it formed by desiliconization of kaolinite under acidic conditions.Due to its high kaolinite content(up to 90%)and low iron mineral content(less than 1%),and good crystallinity,kaolinite deposits occurred at Haerwusu surface mine probably have great economical value in the future.

Activating Process of Geopolymer Source Material: Kaolinite

The calcining process was recorded by differential scanning calorimetry and ther-mogravimetry （DSC-TG）. The dehydroxylation （activating process） was partitioned into two steps by calculating and comparing the O-H bond lengths between inner hydroxyl group and surface hydroxyl group, as well as the ionic bond of Al-OH and position of -OH. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and compressive strength measurement show that the activity of calcined materials increases with the increasing of temperature in dehydroxylation region but decreases abruptly in the ＂spinel＂ region. The suggested temperature for activating kaolinite is 900 ℃ .