Effects of Acid Treatment on the SEM-EDX Characteristics of Kaolin Clay

Abstract

Raw kaolin was refluxed by sulphuric acid in variable concentrations of 2 M, 4 M, 6 M and 8 M. The morphology and elemental compositions of the acid-leached kaolin were analyse by Field Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) respectively. The disintegration and leaching of Al 3+ ions of the clay are determined by FESEM studies. The acid treatment increases the silicon content and decreases aluminium content as revealed by EDX analysis. The leaching of Al 3+ ions increases with gradual increase in concentration of the acid. Therefore, kaolin reflux with acid at lower strength (2 M and 4 M) are more dispersed and more industrially useful than that which is treated at higher acid strength.