Zircon sand was reacted with liquid caustic soda (50% NaOH) in open vessel at 600 oC
for 2h. The effect of NaOH/ZrSiO4 reactant ratio on the yield of zirconia recovery was verified.
Samples of fusion products water washed were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify
the main compounds formed. Silica powders were obtained via acid catalyzed reaction and zirconia
powders were resulted from crystallization of zirconium oxychoride. Both zirconia and silica
powders were analyzed by XRF (X-ray fluorescence) and BET method. Laser Quasi Elastic Light
Scattering (QLS) technique was used for agglomerate size distribution determination. High purity
and fine zirconia and silica powders were obtained. The specific surface area of zirconia calcined at
550 oC reached ~ 70m2g-1. Silica powder calcined at 800 oC presented a high specific surface area ~
500 m2g-1.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.