Synthesis and Characterization of Sodium Silicate from Iraqi Silica Sand: Effect of NaOH/Sand Ratio and Fusion Temperature

In this study, sodium silicate was successfully synthesized from silica rich sand located at the western desert of Iraq. After the pretreatment silica sand, it was characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The results indicate that the sand had 84% silica from total metal oxides percent of 87.7%. Sodium silicate was prepared from the silica sand using dry fusion method. The effect of (NaOH/sand) ratio of (1:1, 1.2:1, and 1.4:1) at different fusion temperatures of (400,500, and 600)0C was studied. For comparison commercial sodium silicate obtained from Aldrich was used. All prepared samples and the commercial one were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Forior Transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X- Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and pH measurement. From the results obtained all the prepared samples represent alkaline sodium silicate. Also the closest properties to the commercial sodium silicate were estimated at conditions of (1:1) (NaOH/sand) ratio and 6000C.