Facile purification of locally mined gypsum and its use for preparing nano-hemihydrates

Authors

• Luqman Ayodeji Adams
• Enobong Essien
• Taiwo Aiyeloro
• Stella Oseyomon
• John Makanjuola

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

Gypsum has a wide range of applications, in interior decorations, building construction, supplements or implants in orthopaedics to mention a few. However, in many developing countries including Nigeria, there is still a large-scale importation despite huge available natural deposits. In this study, a facile method to purify locally-mined gypsum has been explored based on the mineral retrograde solubility in water. The purified gypsum was investigated for its elemental composition in comparison to the crude sample and a commercially obtained medical-grade gypsum using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results showed that the purified gypsum contained 94.05% CaSO4 compared with the crude which had a CaSO4 content of 58.10%. Hemihydrates obtained by the treatments of the purified gypsum in an oven, autoclave and microwave gave different morphologies when observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that particle sizes of all the hemihydrates were within the range 9 nm to 32 nm, but the microwave-derived sample exhibited the most desirable morphological characteristics which could impart high mechanical performance. We have reported here a new facile method for purifying gypsum ore that can have huge commercial benefits.

DOI

10.55713/jmmm.v31i3.1119

First Page

106

Last Page

110

Recommended Citation

Ayodeji Adams, Luqman; Essien, Enobong; Aiyeloro, Taiwo; Oseyomon, Stella; and Makanjuola, John (2021) "Facile purification of locally mined gypsum and its use for preparing nano-hemihydrates," Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals: Vol. 31: No. 3, Article 13.
DOI: 10.55713/jmmm.v31i3.1119
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/jmmm/vol31/iss3/13