Physicochemical Characterization of Natural Kaolin From Jaboi Indonesia

Abstract

In this study studied the physical and chemical properties of natural kaolin originating from Jaboi village, Sukajaya district, Sabang City, Aceh province, Indonesia. Natural kaolin deposits in this province are quite large and can be used as raw materials in various industries such as paints, ceramics, rubber medicines and others. Therefore, the study of the physical and chemical properties of natural kaolin through characteristic tests is very necessary so that its utilization in related industries can be optimized. The characteristic tests carried out include XRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM EDX and DSC/TGA where the results of the analysis obtained will be compared with the characteristics of commercial kaolin. Based on the XRF test, the main composition of Jaboi kaolin was obtained as follows: SiO 2 (silica) and Al 2 O 3 (alumina) respectively at 84.8% and 2.96%, while the remaining impurities with concentrations below 1%. XRD diffractograms identify quartz as the main mineral followed by kaolinite and cristobalite. These results are in accordance with the functional groups of FTIR spectra. The SEM test obtained the typical morphology of Jaboi kaolin, in the form of a heterogeneous group of layered hexagonal sheets and EDX results showing the composition of Jaboi kaolin elements consisting of 31.94% silicon, 1.33% aluminum 14.61% carbon and 50.78% oxygen. Based on the derivatogram in thermal analysis, there is no visible crystallization of the Jaboi kaolin. The results of all the characterizations of Jaboi kaolin show that Jaboi kaolin is very suitable for use in the refractory and ceramics industries.