PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Sr-CELSIAN DERIVED FROM A ZEOLITE PRECURSOR SYNTHESIZED FROM AMAZONIAN BAUXITE RESIDUE

This study explores the potential of bauxite waste from the Amazon in Brazil for producing Sr-celsian ceramics. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the waste to be composed of gibbsite, kaolinite and hematite as main mineral, and anatase and quartz as accessories. This residue composition by addition of NaOH can be transformed into hydroxysodalite zeolite, followed by its transformation into Sr-celsian ceramic phases by addition of Sr2+. Thermal conversion of strontium zeolite to Sr-celsian was achieved as low as 800°C. However, XRD analysis also detected nepheline, indicating incomplete conversion. This suggests the need for further optimization to achieve complete transformation into Sr-celsian. Future investigations should focus on understanding factors promoting nepheline formation during the conversion process. Overall, this study highlights the potential of utilizing bauxite waste for valuable Sr-celsian ceramics, with further optimization required to enhance conversion efficiency.