Resumen de Microwave treatment offers greener option for graphite processing
Microwave irradiation has recently emerged as a promising method to process high-grade natural graphite from mineral ores in a way that is less environmentally damaging than many conventional beneficiation techniques, Industrial Minerals correspondent Rose Pengelly discovers.Graphite resources around the world have been the focus of intensive exploration over the past seven years to help meet projected growth in demand for the carbon mineral from fast-expanding technologies such as lithium-ion batteries. Leaching experiments with hydrochloric acid (Cl) and nitric acid (HNO3) and microwave radiation showed increases in the grade of the graphite tested to 99.43% C from 95%.Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray power diffraction (XRD) analysis of the resulting products indicated that the shape of the graphite flakes remained unchanged during this process. [...]ultimately, as Chelgani pointed out, commercial graphite users choose their raw material according to a cost-performance balance. [...]new processing techniques can be shown to contribute positively to industry margins, incumbent methods will be difficult to dislodge.
