On mechanical activation of glauconite: Physicochemical changes, alterations in cation exchange capacity and mechanisms

Mechanical activation (MA) of glauconite [(K,Na,Ca)(Fe3+,Al,Mg,Fe2+)2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2] has been investigated to improve its cation exchange capacity (CEC), an impediment for its direct use as nutrients (agro-mineral), notably potassium. Glauconite is mechanically activated using planetary ball milli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Powder technology 2020-01, Vol.360, p.337-351
Main Authors: Singla, Rashmi, Alex, Thomas C., Kumar, Rakesh
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Agro-minerals
Aluminum
Ball milling
Cation exchange
Cation exchanging
Cation-exchange capacity
Crystallites
Crystals
Glauconite
Green processing
Ions
Iron
Magnesium
Mathematical morphology
Mechanical activation
Nutrients
Organic chemistry
Particle size distribution
Potassium
Silicon
Size distribution
Surface charge
Time dependence
Zeta potential
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Summary:Mechanical activation (MA) of glauconite [(K,Na,Ca)(Fe3+,Al,Mg,Fe2+)2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2] has been investigated to improve its cation exchange capacity (CEC), an impediment for its direct use as nutrients (agro-mineral), notably potassium. Glauconite is mechanically activated using planetary ball milling for varying lengths of time up to 240 min. Milling induces time dependent physicochemical changes in terms of particulate characteristics (morphology, particles size distribution, geometrical and BET specific surface area), structure (crystallite size and strain; –OH/H2O bonding) and surface charge (zeta potential). It is possible to tailor the CEC of glauconite with MA. A remarkable improvement (30-fold!) in the CEC of K+ ions is possible. The effect of milling time on the exchange behaviour is ion-specific. Plausible mechanisms of cation exchange are presented in terms of the chemical nature of the ions involved and the physicochemical changes. Lastly, MA approach is compared with reported methods of potassium recovery; its superiority as a green option is underlined. [Display omitted] •Extensive physicochemical characterisation of mechanically activated glauconite.•Tailoring of cation exchange capacity of glauconite with Mechanical activation.•Plausible explanations for cation exchange mechanisms in the activated glauconite.•With mechanical activation, 30-fold increase in CEC of K+ ions (a macro-nutrient).•Mechanical activation - a green alternative to chemical methods of potash extraction.
ISSN:0032-5910
1873-328X
DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2019.10.035