Cordierite synthesis. A time-resolved neutron diffraction study

In order to elucidate the mechanism of reaction during the cordierite synthesis a kinetic study has been carried out by means of X-ray diffraction and neutron thermo-diffraction. It was thus possible to elucidate between the reactions leading to the cordierite synthesis and those that gave rise to the undesired phases generated during this process. Depending on the reactants used these reactions are different. The present paper presents results obtained during the cordierite synthesis starting from talc, kaolin and hydromagnesite as reactants. This synthesis from natural raw materials takes place through a complex mechanism that has been described. In this kind of synthesis, at the end of the entire process the obtained cordierite is always accompanied by a second phase: spinel. This is the first time that the presence of the μ-cordierite phase has been observed when the synthesis is carried out in solid state from non-submicronic natural raw materials.