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. 2020 Jan 17;10(1):577.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-57511-y.

Exploration of a New Source of Sustainable Nanomaterial from the Koh-e-Suleiman Mountain Range of Pakistan for Industrial Applications

Affiliations

Exploration of a New Source of Sustainable Nanomaterial from the Koh-e-Suleiman Mountain Range of Pakistan for Industrial Applications

J S Nirwan et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore a new source of montmorillonite and to develop an extraction and purification protocol for its isolation from raw clay samples acquired from the Koh-e-Suleiman mountain range in Pakistan. The process involved the collection of raw clay from the source, identification and quantification of montmorillonite. Granulometric extraction and purification protocols increased the montmorillonite content from 21.8-25.1% in the raw clay to 90.1-93.9% after small-scale extraction and 85.33-89.33% on a larger scale. A techno-economic analysis highlighted the practicality and economic benefits of large-scale extraction for industrial applications. This study highlights the existence of a substantial new source of this valuable clay which is currently used across multiple industries including construction, pottery making, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and engineering. It is intuitively expected that the large-scale extraction of the material will improve the economic condition of the region by providing employment opportunities to locals and may be a valuable resource for export.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Geological map of Pakistan and (b) site for raw clay sample collection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
XRD patterns of raw clay.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) SEM micrographs and (b) EDS spectra of raw clay.
Figure 4
Figure 4
SEM micrographs of montmorillonite particles ground for (a) 20 min, (b) 40 min, (c) 60 min and (d) 80 min.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Particle size distribution of montmorillonite particles ground for (a) 0 min, (b) 20 min, (c) 40 min, (d) 60 min and (f) 80 min.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) XRD, (b) extracted yield and (c,d) content, using (c) XRD and (d) Cu-TET methods, of montmorillonite clay particles ($$showing different grinding time).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Zeta potential charge of clay particles as a function of pH.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Particle size distribution of montmorillonite particles extracted on small and large scales.
Figure 9
Figure 9
(a) XRD, (b) content, (c) extracted yield and (d) zeta potential charge of montmorillonite clay particles with a function of pH.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Total cost of associated with montmorillonite clay purification in (a) UK currency and (b) Pakistani currency.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Costing associated with montmorillonite clay purification with respect to grinding time (a) per stage and (b) per component breakdown.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Costing associated with montmorillonite clay purification at small and large scale (a) per stage and (b) per component breakdown.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Flowchart detailing the protocol for (a) identification, (b) small scale and (c) large scale extraction of montmorillonite.

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