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2017 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

15. Silica and Alumina Nanophases: Natural Processes and Industrial Applications

Authors : Dominique J. Tobler, Tomasz M. Stawski, Liane G. Benning

Published in: New Perspectives on Mineral Nucleation and Growth

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

Silica (SiO₂) and alumina (Al₂O₃) nanophases control several important global element cycles. They play a crucial role in rock weathering and thus affect and are affected by Earth’s response to global climate change. The phases that form through various precipitation and crystallisation reactions, often adjacent to each other, are also important in a plethora of industrial applications. During the formation of both silica and alumina phases, multiple reaction stages controlled by changes in physicochemical parameters govern solid-liquid interface reactions and phase inter-transformations; these stages invariably include hydrolysis and condensation reactions, followed by nucleation and growth of poorly ordered solid nanoparticles, which ultimately dehydrate and crystallise to various polymorphs that in turn can inter-transform through subsequent reactions. In this chapter, we summarise the state of knowledge on reactions that lead to the formation and transformations of silica and alumina colloids in view of experimental evidence in pure and amended systems, compare these with field observations and contrast and compare these with principal processes relevant in industrial applications.

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Title: Silica and Alumina Nanophases: Natural Processes and Industrial Applications
Authors: Dominique J. Tobler
Tomasz M. Stawski
Liane G. Benning
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: New Perspectives on Mineral Nucleation and Growth
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45667-6

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-45669-0

Copyright Year: 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45669-0_15