Investigation and characterization of high purity and nano-sized SrCO3 production by mechanochemical synthesis process

In this study, the production of strontium carbonate (SrCO3) from concentrated celestite ore (SrSO4) by mechanochemical synthesis process was investigated. Different proportions of ammonium carbonate ((NH4)2CO3) were used to convert the celestite ore to strontium carbonate. The effects of SrSO4: (NH4)2CO3 stoichiometric ratio and synthesis time on the purity of the produced strontium carbonate were examined. In the mechanochemical synthesis experiments, the stoichiometric ratios of 1:1, 1:1.5 and, 1:2 between SrSO4 and (NH4)2CO3, and synthesis times of 10, 100, and 200 min were applied. Impurities and contaminations in concentrated celestite ore were removed by acid leaching and calcination processes. DTA, TGA, XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, and FT-IR analyzes were performed throughout the strontium carbonate production process. Experimental studies have revealed that the 1:2 stoichiometric ratio between SrSO4 and (NH4)2CO3 and 200 min synthesis time are the most suitable process parameters for the production of high purity strontium carbonate.