Affiliations: [a] Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Khulais, University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | [b] Department of Refractories, Ceramics and Building Materials, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt | [c] Department of Inorganic Chemistry, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt | [d] Department of Water Pollution Research, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt | [e] Department of Food Toxicology and Contaminants, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: N.M. Khalil, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, Khulais, University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966548959278; [email protected]
Abstract: This work aims at studying the solid phase composition and chemical constitution of some mineralogical raw materials widespread in Gholaa and Osfan regions, Khulais Governorate, in the western area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ten samples were investigated through their phase composition using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Four of which were selected for further investigations. The quantitative phase compositions of the selected samples were calculated from XRD data. Their chemical constitutions were determined using x-ray fluorescence technique (XRF). The microstructure of one selected sample was depicted using scanning electron microscope attached with EDAX unit to analyze elementary some selected crystals. Most of the investigated samples composed mainly of albite mineral (NaAlSiO3) and they are suitable for glass ceramic industries. One sample contains considerable contents of quartz (SiO2) and kaolinite (Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O) in addition to albite; it is suitable for the cement, brick and ceramic industry. Some minerals were present in varying amounts in the samples namely; chlorite (Mg6Si4O10(OH)8), chamosite (Fe3Si2O5(OH)4), chabazite (CaSrAl silicate), biotite (H4K2Mg6Al2Si6O2), microcline (KAlSi3O8), montimorillonite (Mg.Al2O3.5SiO2.xH2O), hematite (Fe2O3) tremolite (Na0.11Ca1.69Mg4.6Fe0.48Al0.29Si7.82O22(OH)2), kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) and anatase (TiO2). Based on their chemical and mineralogical compositions the raw materials are suitable for various chemical, mineralogical, and engineering applications.
Keywords: Albite, SEM, microstructure, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence
