Characterization of Sr2+ uptake on natural minerals of kaolinite and magnesite using XRPD, SEM/EDS, XPS, and DRIFT

The sorption behavior of Sr2+ ions on natural minerals rich in kaolinite and magnesite was studied using SEM/EDS, XPS, XRPD, AAS/AES and DRIFT techniques. Quantitative analysis of the XPS data shows that magnesite is more effective in Sr2+ uptake than kaolinite. DRIFT spectra and XRPD patterns indicate that the structures of both minerals were not affected upon Sr2+ sorption. Intercalation of DMSO in kaolinite lamellae aiming at increasing the interlayer space did not significantly enhance the sorption capacity of the clay towards Sr2+ probably due to the lack of a negative charge on the accessible sites. EDS mapping indicated that while the sorbed Sr is equally distributed on surface of natural kaolinite, it was associated - to a larger extent - with the regions richer in Mg in the case of natural magnesite. Comparing the uptake mechanisms of natural magnesite with that of pure MgCO3, it was seen that while natural magnesite sorbed Sr2+ mainly through an ion exchange type mechanism, the formation of SrCO3 coprecipitate was detected on the surface of the MgCO 3 at higher loadings