Silica (SiO2) supported nickel oxide-copper oxide (NiO-CuO) composites were synthesized through alkoxide route of sol-gel process using tetraethyl ortthosilicate (TEOS), nickel nitrate hexahydrate and copper nitrate trihydrate as precursors. A series of different compositions were prepared varying NiO:CuO molar ratios keeping all other process parameters constant. The gels thus obtained were calcined at a moderate temperature i.e. 500and#186;C for one hour. The crystal structure and thermal stability of metal oxide particles embedded in silica matrix were studied using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC-TGA) respectively. The purity of the composites was checked by Infrared spectroscopy (IR) whereas the composite formation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that crystals of NiO and CuO nanoparticles aggregated to form spheres of variable sizes were successfully embedded in the amorphous silica matrix composed of silica particles agglomerated to form clusters.

A low-grade graphite ore originating from Kael area, Shounter Valley, Azad Kashmir, assaying 8.90% graphite content was upgraded by froth flotation technique to produce a commercial grade graphite concentrate. Mineral phases present in the ore were identified by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The variables of flotation process such as particle size of the feed, pH of the pulp, % solids of the pulp, speed of impeller, type and quantity of collecting and frothing agents, conditioning time and froth collecting time were optimized to get maximum grade and recovery of graphite mineral. The pH of the pulp was adjusted with sodium carbonate. Kerosene oil was used as collector while pine oil as frother respectively. Sodium silicate was employed as depressant. The grade of the final graphite concentrate produced was 85.80% C with overall recovery of 86.00%. Its surface morphology was studied using SEM-EDX technique while grain size by laser particle size analyzer.

Silica (SiO2) supported nickel oxide-copper oxide (NiO-CuO) composites were synthesized through alkoxide route of sol-gel process using tetraethyl ortthosilicate (TEOS), nickel nitrate hexahydrate and copper nitrate trihydrate as precursors. A series of different compositions were prepared varying NiO:CuO molar ratios keeping all other process parameters constant. The gels thus obtained were calcined at a moderate temperature i.e. 500and#186;C for one hour. The crystal structure and thermal stability of metal oxide particles embedded in silica matrix were studied using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC-TGA) respectively. The purity of the composites was checked by Infrared spectroscopy (IR) whereas the composite formation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that crystals of NiO and CuO nanoparticles aggregated to form spheres of variable sizes were successfully embedded in the amorphous silica matrix composed of silica particles agglomerated to form clusters.

A low-grade graphite ore originating from Kael area, Shounter Valley, Azad Kashmir, assaying 8.90% graphite content was upgraded by froth flotation technique to produce a commercial grade graphite concentrate. Mineral phases present in the ore were identified by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The variables of flotation process such as particle size of the feed, pH of the pulp, % solids of the pulp, speed of impeller, type and quantity of collecting and frothing agents, conditioning time and froth collecting time were optimized to get maximum grade and recovery of graphite mineral. The pH of the pulp was adjusted with sodium carbonate. Kerosene oil was used as collector while pine oil as frother respectively. Sodium silicate was employed as depressant. The grade of the final graphite concentrate produced was 85.80% C with overall recovery of 86.00%. Its surface morphology was studied using SEM-EDX technique while grain size by laser particle size analyzer.