Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrocalumite-type Material Employing Bauxite-washing Residues from Amazon Region ( Brazil )

This work deals with the synthesis of anionic clay with hydrocalumite-type material employing Amazonian bauxite tailings. The influence of temperature was investigated in the formation of this lamellar product. The product characterization was performed with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with EDS. The results have revealed that bauxite wastes can convert into hydrocalumite by hydrothermal treatment at 75 °C for 2 days, with a high degree of crystallinity. The XRD pattern, IR and Raman bands of the hydrocalumite-type structure were identified. The results have shown that this type of industrial residue could be a low cost raw material for layered double hydroxide synthesis.