Diffuse-Layer Surface Potentials of Colemanites Mined in Turkey

Abstract

Colemanite crystal specimens were handpicked at Kestelek, Emet (Hisarcik, Espey), Bigadic mines in Turkey for characterization of their composition and surface potential. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed no differences in mineralogical makeup of the crystals, but elemental analysis indicated differences in the type of trace (<0.1 wt%) elements. Zeta potential measurements showed small differences in zeta potential values, with isoelectric points (iep) varying from about pH = 9.6 to pH = 10.2. However, no correlation was found between iep and the type of trace elements. Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to measure the colloidal interactions between a silicon nitride (Si3N4) cantilever tip and colemanite crystal surfaces in 1 wt% colemanite-saturated aqueous solutions at three different pHs (8.4, 9.4 and 11). The Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory (DLVO) was applied to examine the AFM tip interactions with colemanite surfaces in an aqueous solution of colemanite saturated solutions. The results revealed attractive forces at pH = 8.4 and 9.4 and repulsive forces at pH = 11, confirming the location of an isoelectric point for colemanite specimens somewhere between pH = 9.5 and pH = 10.1. Theoretical analysis of the force curves using the DLVO theory allowed for assessment of both surface charge density and surface potential for colemanite specimens used in this study.