Synthesis and Microstructural Investigation of hydrocalumite-type nanomaterial from gibbsite bauxite tailings (Amazon, Brazil)

This work deals with the synthesis of anionic clay with hydrocalumite-type material employing Amazonian bauxite tailings.The influence of temperature was investigated in the formation of this lamellar product.The product characterization was performed with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with EDS.The results have revealed that bauxite residues can convert into hydrocalumite by hydrothermal treatment at 75 C for 2 days, with a high degree of crystallinity.The XRD pattern, IR and Raman bands of the hydrocalumite-type structure were identified.The results have shown that this type of industrial residue could be a low-cost raw material for layered double hydroxide synthesis.