# Characterization and Alumina Leachability of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

Authors: Hui-lan Sun; Bo Wang; Jian-xin Zhang; Shu-feng Zong
Journal: Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
 (2014)

---

## Abstract

The effect of synthesis time on phase compositions, lattice constant, average grain size, preferred orientation, and surface morphology of 12CaO·7Al2O3 synthesized at 1500°C was analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results indicate that the main phase of samples synthesized is 12CaO·7Al2O3 when holding time is over 30 min. The lattice constant increases and the preferred orientation decreases as synthesis time prolongs. The average grain size of samples is about 59 nm calculated by Scherrer formula, and it does not change with synthesis time. The synthesis time affects the micromorphology of samples greatly. There are more and bigger holes in samples synthesized for long time. The aspects mentioned above cause the alumina leaching ratio of 12CaO·7Al2O3 to increase with the prolonging of synthesis time, but the rate of increase drops.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

Calcium aluminate slag is obtained from blast furnaces when smelting iron-bearing bauxite or red mud. 12CaO·7Al2O3 is one of the main components from which alumina can be leached out [1, 2]. 12CaO·7Al2O3 attracts wide attention because it has better alumina leaching property than other CaO-Al2O3 compounds in sodium carbonate solution [3, 4]. This method realizes the comprehensive utilization of iron and alumina values in the ore, and the alumina leaching rate is about 85% [5, 6].In order to improve the alumina leaching ratio, many studies have been carried out. Tong et al. studied the microwave-assisted alumina leaching and indicated that it could promote the leaching process [7]. Sun et al. studied the ultrasonic-assisted alumina leaching and pointed that ultrasonic can improve the alumina leaching ratio and decrease the leaching temperature and sodium carbonation concentration [8]. Two-stage leaching and adding Na2O into slag to enhance leaching ratio were also used by Yu et al., and the results were also better [9].The methods mentioned above improve the alumina leaching ratio of calcium aluminate slag to a certain extent. And most of these methods are to change the leaching condition. The crystal structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 has been widely researched because of its unique nanoporous framework, but all of the works are in the fields of material and cement [10–13]. The relationship between crystal structure and alumina leaching ratio of 12CaO·7Al2O3 has not been discussed from the literature.Therefore, the synthesis of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with raw materials of calcium oxide and alumina under the temperature of 1500°C during different holding time was carried out in this paper. The samples were leached under the same conditions. The microscopic characteristics of these samples were studied with the help of XRD and SEM.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Materials

CaCO3, Na2CO3, NaOH, and Al(OH)3 used in the experimental studies are analytically pure reagents. The C/A (CaO/Al2O3, mole ratio) of the 12CaO·7Al2O3 is 1.71.


### 2.2. Smelting of Calcium Aluminate

Samples were smelted in a MoSi2 resistance furnace with different synthesis time (from 30 min to 150 min, and the interval was 30 min), and the container was a graphite crucible. The smelting temperature was 1500°C (if the temperature is below 1500, it is difficult to depart the slag from liquid iron). The sample was taken out at 400°C from the resistance furnace, and its cooling rate was 5°C·min−1. Then, the sample was grinded into powders whose average particle sizes were within 74 μm.


### 2.3. Leaching of Calcium Aluminate

The sodium aluminate solution obtained from leaching calcium aluminate was treated using the carbonization precipitation process, and the circulating liquid was then used to leach calcium aluminate. The feasible conditions for alumina leaching obtained from literature [6, 14] and our previous study were as follows: leaching temperature 75°C, leaching time 30 min, L/S ratio 10, caustic alkali concentration 7 g/L, and sodium carbonate concentration 120 g/L. The leaching experiments were carried out in magnetically stirred constant temperature water bath. After leaching and filtrating, the filtrate was used to analyze the composition of the solution, and the filter residue was washed and dried for analysis.


### 2.4. Analysis

The contents of Al2O3 and CaO in samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, and the contents of Al2O3 and Na2O in filtrate were analyzed by chemical method. Phase components and crystal structure of the 12CaO·7Al2O3 were identified by X-ray diffraction (PANalytical PW3040/60). Scanning electron microscopy (SHIMADZU SSX-550) was used to observe the surface morphology of the 12CaO·7Al2O3.


## 2.1. Materials

CaCO3, Na2CO3, NaOH, and Al(OH)3 used in the experimental studies are analytically pure reagents. The C/A (CaO/Al2O3, mole ratio) of the 12CaO·7Al2O3 is 1.71.


## 2.2. Smelting of Calcium Aluminate

Samples were smelted in a MoSi2 resistance furnace with different synthesis time (from 30 min to 150 min, and the interval was 30 min), and the container was a graphite crucible. The smelting temperature was 1500°C (if the temperature is below 1500, it is difficult to depart the slag from liquid iron). The sample was taken out at 400°C from the resistance furnace, and its cooling rate was 5°C·min−1. Then, the sample was grinded into powders whose average particle sizes were within 74 μm.


## 2.3. Leaching of Calcium Aluminate

The sodium aluminate solution obtained from leaching calcium aluminate was treated using the carbonization precipitation process, and the circulating liquid was then used to leach calcium aluminate. The feasible conditions for alumina leaching obtained from literature [6, 14] and our previous study were as follows: leaching temperature 75°C, leaching time 30 min, L/S ratio 10, caustic alkali concentration 7 g/L, and sodium carbonate concentration 120 g/L. The leaching experiments were carried out in magnetically stirred constant temperature water bath. After leaching and filtrating, the filtrate was used to analyze the composition of the solution, and the filter residue was washed and dried for analysis.


## 2.4. Analysis

The contents of Al2O3 and CaO in samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, and the contents of Al2O3 and Na2O in filtrate were analyzed by chemical method. Phase components and crystal structure of the 12CaO·7Al2O3 were identified by X-ray diffraction (PANalytical PW3040/60). Scanning electron microscopy (SHIMADZU SSX-550) was used to observe the surface morphology of the 12CaO·7Al2O3.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Alumina Leachability of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

12CaO·7Al2O3 can easily react with Na2CO3 solution and realize alumina recovery. The alumina leaching ratio is very important for the comprehensive utilization of iron-bearing bauxite and fly ash [15]. The reaction equation is shown as follows:
(1)
12
CaO
·
7
Al
2
O
3
+
12
Na
2
CO
3
+
33
H
2
O
=
14
NaAl
(
OH
)
4
+
12
CaCO
3
+
10
NaOH
.The standard leaching conditions are mentioned in Section2.3, and the leaching results are shown in Figure 1.Figure 1
Alumina leaching ratio of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with different holding times.12CaO·7Al2O3 has a good alumina leaching ratio (87.90%) when holding time is 30 min. When the holding time prolongs, the leaching ratio increases obviously. And it could reach 92.64% when holding time is 120 min. But it increases no longer when holding time is longer than 120 min. Compared to the previous research results [16], not only the sintering temperature but also the holding time has large influence on leaching ratio.Although the sample is smelt and its reaction rate is much faster than solid reaction when the temperature is 1500°C, prolonged holding time is still a benefit to improve leaching ratio. The following analysis is carried out to study its effect mechanism.


### 3.2. XRD Results of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

Phase components of sintered samples are the main factor which could affect the alumina leaching ability. The results are shown in Figure2.Figure 2
XRD pattern of samples synthesized at 1500°C with different holding times.Figure2 shows that the major phase of sample holding for 30 min is 12CaO·7Al2O3, and the minor phase is CaO·Al2O3. As to samples holding for more than 60 min, there is 12CaO·7Al2O3 only. According to the literature [4] alumina leaching property of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is better than that of CaO·Al2O3 (alumina leaching property of CaO-Al2O3 compounds: 12CaO·7Al2O3  > CaO·Al2O3  > 3CaO·Al2O3). This is one reason that alumina leaching ratio of sample holding for 30 min is lower than that of holding for more than 60 min. When holding time is above 60 min, it is difficult to study the effect mechanism of holding time on leaching ratio according to phase compositions. Therefore, further study is carried out.


### 3.3. Crystal Lattice of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

XRD data of samples show thatd value of Bragg diffraction changes regularly. Data of the first ten intensity peaks are shown in Table 1.Table 1
d values in X-ray diffraction of samples with different holding times.
Peak serial
(h
k
l)
d
30 min
60 min
90 min
120 min
150 min
1
(420)
2.67705
2.67824
2.67941
2.68201
2.68341
2
(211)
2.88512
4.88624
4.88508
4.89433
4.89955
3
(422)
2.44436
2.44539
2.44624
2.44887
2.44925
4
(521)
2.18660
2.18789
2.18803
2.18995
2.19073
5
(532)
1.94395
1.94407
1.94395
1.95581
1.96628
6
(400)
2.99582
2.99643
2.99735
2.99929
2.99938
7
(642)
1.60087
1.60160
1.60212
1.60296
1.60298
8
(640)
1.66104
1.66184
1.66249
1.66353
1.66376
9
(321)
3.19956
3.20032
3.20122
3.20449
3.20686
10
(750)
1.39310
1.39352
1.39376
1.39454
1.39464
The relative peak intensities decrease as the serial number increases.According to Table1, the interplanar distance d of different (hkl) increases as the holding time prolongs. That is to say, the XRD pattern shifts to the left and the unit cell expands. The lattice constants of samples with different holding times are calculated by CELREF software, and the results are shown in Figure 3.Figure 3
Lattice constants of samples with different holding times.The trend of the increase of lattice constant is similar to that of alumina leaching ratio. The expansion of 12CaO·7Al2O3 cell improves its leaching property. Grzymek [4] considered that the molecular structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is as shown in Figure 4(a). There are six pyroaluminate groups [Ca2(Al2O5)] for one part of Al2O3 in it. Ca2+ and O2− of this structure are asymmetrically distributed. Hideo Hosono and other researchers [13, 17, 18] indicated that 12CaO·7Al2O3 is closely packed by subnanometer cages (Figure 4(b)), and its chemical formula is [Ca24Al28O64]4+ +2O2−
·Ca2+ and O2− are also asymmetrical in structure. Therefore, the asymmetrical distribution of 12CaO·7Al2O3 molecular makes that polar water molecules permeate in 12CaO·7Al2O3 cell rapidly. The expansion of 12CaO·7Al2O3 cell could intensify the asymmetrical distribution, so the alumina leaching ratio improves under this condition.(a) Molecular structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3. (b) Framework of single cage.
(a)
(b)For covalent bounded crystal, the total interaction energy of each bond is as follows [19]:
(2)
u
=
u
0
+
u
0
(
r
)
-
u
bond
,
where u
0 is the energy that needed to establish hybridization state, u
0
(
r
) is interaction energy between atoms, and it is reciprocal proportion to r
2, and u
bond is the lowest energy when cohesion of atoms takes place.For one phase,u
0 and u
bond do not change. Therefore, the increase of unit-cell volume makes the bond energy of asymmetric structure weak and easy to break. Then, the reaction between 12CaO·7Al2O3 and Na2CO3 solution will become more violent and the alumina leaching ratio increases.


### 3.4. Average Crystallite Size of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

The average crystallite size of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is another aspect which will affect the alumina leaching ratio. In this paper, we use classical Scherrer [20, 21] (3) for crystallite size according to the FWHM of characteristic peaks of 12CaO·7Al2O3:
(3)
d
=
k
λ
B
cos
⁡
θ
,
(4)
B
=
(
B
m
2
-
B
s
2
)
1
/
2
,
where d is the crystallite size, λ is the X-ray wavelength (Cu target, λ
=
0.15406
nm), θ is the Bragg angle, K is the Scherrer constant (K
=
0.89, in this paper), and B
m and B
s are the FWHM of experimental sample and reference sample. The average crystallite size is obtained from the first ten strong peaks, and the results are shown in Table 2.Table 2
Average crystallite size of samples synthesized for different times.
Holding time (min)
30
60
90
120
150
d
ave (nm)
59.48
59.67
59.06
59.35
59.57The average crystallite size of different samples is about 59 nm. That is to say, the holding time has little effect on the crystallite size of samples. Therefore, in this aspect, the holding time does not affect alumina leaching ratio.


### 3.5. Preferred Orientation of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

Preferred orientation of 12CaO·7Al2O3 crystal is another aspect which will affect the degree of leaching reaction. According to the XRD results, the relative intensity of characteristic peaks of 12CaO·7Al2O3 changes with different holding times. The relative intensity data are shown in Table 3.Table 3
Relative intensity of X-ray diffractions and standard card.
h
k
l
Experimental Rel.Int. (%)
Standard Rel.Int. (%)
60 min
90 min
120 min
150 min
420
100
100
100
100
100
211
60.12
66.51
68.12
68.23
95
422
50.61
45.08
42.26
57.32
50
400
28.9
28.99
32.33
42.83
45
642
25.25
30.99
27.12
33.56
30
750
12.88
13.39
13.21
17.22
18The crystal layer (420) is the first strongest characteristic peak of 12CaO·7Al2O3, and its relative intensity does not change with different holding times. But the relative intensity of the crystal layer (211) decreases obviously compared with the standard card. Therefore, the preferred orientation of 12CaO·7Al2O3 changes with different holding times. The preferred orientation factors are calculated from (5) [22, 23]. The calculated results are shown in Figure 5:
(5)
TC
(
h
k
l
)
j
=
(
I
(
h
k
l
)
j
/
I
(
h
k
l
)
j
,
0
)
(
1
/
n
)
∑
i
=
1
n
(
I
(
h
k
l
)
i
/
I
(
h
k
l
)
i
,
0
)
,
where I
(
h
k
l
)
j is the experimental diffraction intensity value of a crystal layer, I
(
h
k
l
)
j
,
0 is the diffraction intensity value of standard card, and n is the amount of peaks calculated.Figure 5
Effect of synthesis time on preferred oriented factor of crystal grains.Figure5 shows that the first strongest orientation is (420) layer and the second is (211), and their preferred orientation factors decrease with the prolonging of holding time. When holding time changes from 60 min to 150 min, the orientation factor of (420) layer decreases from 1.191 to 0.918, and that of (211) layer decreases from 0.754 to 0.433. This is because the energy of the binary system tends to balance as holding time prolongs. The release of energy makes the enlargement of 12CaO·7Al2O3 crystal lattice and disturbs its preferred orientation.Besides, from Figure6 (SEM results) it can be seen that, when holding time is shorter, the micromorphology of samples (30 min or 60 min) is present as a flake and smoothness structure. This is the result of the preferred orientation of crystal.SEM images of samples synthesized for different times: (a) 30 min, (b) 60 min, (c) 90 min, (d) 120 min, and (e) 150 min.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)But the flake structure of samples (30 min or 60 min) are instead of gully and hole structure (120 min or 150 min) when holding time prolongs continuously. The images indicate that the preferred orientation of samples with long holding time is not obvious compared with that of samples with short holding time.


### 3.6. Microstructure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

The SEM results of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with different holding times are shown in Figure 6. According to these results, the sample synthesized during 30 min (Figure 6(a)) has large gullies and with scalariform marking in it. The gullies become smaller when holding time is 60 min but the scalariform marking increases (Figure 6(b)). Besides, small holes can be observed occasionally. Scalariform markings disappear and holes increase when holding time is 90 min (Figure 6(c)). The combination of holes in adjacent takes place to form big gap when holding time is up to 120 min (Figures 6(d) and 6(e)). These gaps and the holes of different size distribute irregularly. The gaps become bigger and its amount become larger when holding time prolongs.Another reason for the improvement of alumina leaching ability of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with long holding time is the existence of these holes and gaps. The aqueous solution can get into the solid easily and enhance the reaction between 12CaO·7Al2O3 and Na2CO3 solution. From the reaction dynamics’ point of view [24], the gaps and the holes of the unreacted core could promote the internal diffusion and the degree of liquid-solid reaction.


## 3.1. Alumina Leachability of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

12CaO·7Al2O3 can easily react with Na2CO3 solution and realize alumina recovery. The alumina leaching ratio is very important for the comprehensive utilization of iron-bearing bauxite and fly ash [15]. The reaction equation is shown as follows:
(1)
12
CaO
·
7
Al
2
O
3
+
12
Na
2
CO
3
+
33
H
2
O
=
14
NaAl
(
OH
)
4
+
12
CaCO
3
+
10
NaOH
.The standard leaching conditions are mentioned in Section2.3, and the leaching results are shown in Figure 1.Figure 1
Alumina leaching ratio of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with different holding times.12CaO·7Al2O3 has a good alumina leaching ratio (87.90%) when holding time is 30 min. When the holding time prolongs, the leaching ratio increases obviously. And it could reach 92.64% when holding time is 120 min. But it increases no longer when holding time is longer than 120 min. Compared to the previous research results [16], not only the sintering temperature but also the holding time has large influence on leaching ratio.Although the sample is smelt and its reaction rate is much faster than solid reaction when the temperature is 1500°C, prolonged holding time is still a benefit to improve leaching ratio. The following analysis is carried out to study its effect mechanism.


## 3.2. XRD Results of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

Phase components of sintered samples are the main factor which could affect the alumina leaching ability. The results are shown in Figure2.Figure 2
XRD pattern of samples synthesized at 1500°C with different holding times.Figure2 shows that the major phase of sample holding for 30 min is 12CaO·7Al2O3, and the minor phase is CaO·Al2O3. As to samples holding for more than 60 min, there is 12CaO·7Al2O3 only. According to the literature [4] alumina leaching property of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is better than that of CaO·Al2O3 (alumina leaching property of CaO-Al2O3 compounds: 12CaO·7Al2O3  > CaO·Al2O3  > 3CaO·Al2O3). This is one reason that alumina leaching ratio of sample holding for 30 min is lower than that of holding for more than 60 min. When holding time is above 60 min, it is difficult to study the effect mechanism of holding time on leaching ratio according to phase compositions. Therefore, further study is carried out.


## 3.3. Crystal Lattice of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

XRD data of samples show thatd value of Bragg diffraction changes regularly. Data of the first ten intensity peaks are shown in Table 1.Table 1
d values in X-ray diffraction of samples with different holding times.
Peak serial
(h
k
l)
d
30 min
60 min
90 min
120 min
150 min
1
(420)
2.67705
2.67824
2.67941
2.68201
2.68341
2
(211)
2.88512
4.88624
4.88508
4.89433
4.89955
3
(422)
2.44436
2.44539
2.44624
2.44887
2.44925
4
(521)
2.18660
2.18789
2.18803
2.18995
2.19073
5
(532)
1.94395
1.94407
1.94395
1.95581
1.96628
6
(400)
2.99582
2.99643
2.99735
2.99929
2.99938
7
(642)
1.60087
1.60160
1.60212
1.60296
1.60298
8
(640)
1.66104
1.66184
1.66249
1.66353
1.66376
9
(321)
3.19956
3.20032
3.20122
3.20449
3.20686
10
(750)
1.39310
1.39352
1.39376
1.39454
1.39464
The relative peak intensities decrease as the serial number increases.According to Table1, the interplanar distance d of different (hkl) increases as the holding time prolongs. That is to say, the XRD pattern shifts to the left and the unit cell expands. The lattice constants of samples with different holding times are calculated by CELREF software, and the results are shown in Figure 3.Figure 3
Lattice constants of samples with different holding times.The trend of the increase of lattice constant is similar to that of alumina leaching ratio. The expansion of 12CaO·7Al2O3 cell improves its leaching property. Grzymek [4] considered that the molecular structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is as shown in Figure 4(a). There are six pyroaluminate groups [Ca2(Al2O5)] for one part of Al2O3 in it. Ca2+ and O2− of this structure are asymmetrically distributed. Hideo Hosono and other researchers [13, 17, 18] indicated that 12CaO·7Al2O3 is closely packed by subnanometer cages (Figure 4(b)), and its chemical formula is [Ca24Al28O64]4+ +2O2−
·Ca2+ and O2− are also asymmetrical in structure. Therefore, the asymmetrical distribution of 12CaO·7Al2O3 molecular makes that polar water molecules permeate in 12CaO·7Al2O3 cell rapidly. The expansion of 12CaO·7Al2O3 cell could intensify the asymmetrical distribution, so the alumina leaching ratio improves under this condition.(a) Molecular structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3. (b) Framework of single cage.
(a)
(b)For covalent bounded crystal, the total interaction energy of each bond is as follows [19]:
(2)
u
=
u
0
+
u
0
(
r
)
-
u
bond
,
where u
0 is the energy that needed to establish hybridization state, u
0
(
r
) is interaction energy between atoms, and it is reciprocal proportion to r
2, and u
bond is the lowest energy when cohesion of atoms takes place.For one phase,u
0 and u
bond do not change. Therefore, the increase of unit-cell volume makes the bond energy of asymmetric structure weak and easy to break. Then, the reaction between 12CaO·7Al2O3 and Na2CO3 solution will become more violent and the alumina leaching ratio increases.


## 3.4. Average Crystallite Size of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

The average crystallite size of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is another aspect which will affect the alumina leaching ratio. In this paper, we use classical Scherrer [20, 21] (3) for crystallite size according to the FWHM of characteristic peaks of 12CaO·7Al2O3:
(3)
d
=
k
λ
B
cos
⁡
θ
,
(4)
B
=
(
B
m
2
-
B
s
2
)
1
/
2
,
where d is the crystallite size, λ is the X-ray wavelength (Cu target, λ
=
0.15406
nm), θ is the Bragg angle, K is the Scherrer constant (K
=
0.89, in this paper), and B
m and B
s are the FWHM of experimental sample and reference sample. The average crystallite size is obtained from the first ten strong peaks, and the results are shown in Table 2.Table 2
Average crystallite size of samples synthesized for different times.
Holding time (min)
30
60
90
120
150
d
ave (nm)
59.48
59.67
59.06
59.35
59.57The average crystallite size of different samples is about 59 nm. That is to say, the holding time has little effect on the crystallite size of samples. Therefore, in this aspect, the holding time does not affect alumina leaching ratio.


## 3.5. Preferred Orientation of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

Preferred orientation of 12CaO·7Al2O3 crystal is another aspect which will affect the degree of leaching reaction. According to the XRD results, the relative intensity of characteristic peaks of 12CaO·7Al2O3 changes with different holding times. The relative intensity data are shown in Table 3.Table 3
Relative intensity of X-ray diffractions and standard card.
h
k
l
Experimental Rel.Int. (%)
Standard Rel.Int. (%)
60 min
90 min
120 min
150 min
420
100
100
100
100
100
211
60.12
66.51
68.12
68.23
95
422
50.61
45.08
42.26
57.32
50
400
28.9
28.99
32.33
42.83
45
642
25.25
30.99
27.12
33.56
30
750
12.88
13.39
13.21
17.22
18The crystal layer (420) is the first strongest characteristic peak of 12CaO·7Al2O3, and its relative intensity does not change with different holding times. But the relative intensity of the crystal layer (211) decreases obviously compared with the standard card. Therefore, the preferred orientation of 12CaO·7Al2O3 changes with different holding times. The preferred orientation factors are calculated from (5) [22, 23]. The calculated results are shown in Figure 5:
(5)
TC
(
h
k
l
)
j
=
(
I
(
h
k
l
)
j
/
I
(
h
k
l
)
j
,
0
)
(
1
/
n
)
∑
i
=
1
n
(
I
(
h
k
l
)
i
/
I
(
h
k
l
)
i
,
0
)
,
where I
(
h
k
l
)
j is the experimental diffraction intensity value of a crystal layer, I
(
h
k
l
)
j
,
0 is the diffraction intensity value of standard card, and n is the amount of peaks calculated.Figure 5
Effect of synthesis time on preferred oriented factor of crystal grains.Figure5 shows that the first strongest orientation is (420) layer and the second is (211), and their preferred orientation factors decrease with the prolonging of holding time. When holding time changes from 60 min to 150 min, the orientation factor of (420) layer decreases from 1.191 to 0.918, and that of (211) layer decreases from 0.754 to 0.433. This is because the energy of the binary system tends to balance as holding time prolongs. The release of energy makes the enlargement of 12CaO·7Al2O3 crystal lattice and disturbs its preferred orientation.Besides, from Figure6 (SEM results) it can be seen that, when holding time is shorter, the micromorphology of samples (30 min or 60 min) is present as a flake and smoothness structure. This is the result of the preferred orientation of crystal.SEM images of samples synthesized for different times: (a) 30 min, (b) 60 min, (c) 90 min, (d) 120 min, and (e) 150 min.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)But the flake structure of samples (30 min or 60 min) are instead of gully and hole structure (120 min or 150 min) when holding time prolongs continuously. The images indicate that the preferred orientation of samples with long holding time is not obvious compared with that of samples with short holding time.


## 3.6. Microstructure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with Different Holding Times

The SEM results of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with different holding times are shown in Figure 6. According to these results, the sample synthesized during 30 min (Figure 6(a)) has large gullies and with scalariform marking in it. The gullies become smaller when holding time is 60 min but the scalariform marking increases (Figure 6(b)). Besides, small holes can be observed occasionally. Scalariform markings disappear and holes increase when holding time is 90 min (Figure 6(c)). The combination of holes in adjacent takes place to form big gap when holding time is up to 120 min (Figures 6(d) and 6(e)). These gaps and the holes of different size distribute irregularly. The gaps become bigger and its amount become larger when holding time prolongs.Another reason for the improvement of alumina leaching ability of 12CaO·7Al2O3 with long holding time is the existence of these holes and gaps. The aqueous solution can get into the solid easily and enhance the reaction between 12CaO·7Al2O3 and Na2CO3 solution. From the reaction dynamics’ point of view [24], the gaps and the holes of the unreacted core could promote the internal diffusion and the degree of liquid-solid reaction.


## 4. Conclusions

(1)
The main phase of samples synthesized for different time is 12CaO·7Al2O3. But the crystal structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 is enlarged and the preferred oriented factor decreases with the increase of holding time.
(2)
The micromorphology of samples synthesized for different times changes greatly. There are more and bigger holes in samples synthesized for longer time than that of short time.
(3)
The comprehensive effects of phase compositions, lattice constant, preferred orientation, and surface morphology increase the alumina leaching ratio of 12CaO·7Al2O3 synthesized for long holding time.



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*Source: 730616-2014-07-20.xml*