# Combined Role of Organic Ligands and Ultrasound on the Dissolution of Phlogopite at pH 4 and 7

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining ultrasound and organic ligands can enhance the dissolution of phlogopite, a mineral with potential industrial uses.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating how sonication and organic ligands together improve phlogopite dissolution, particularly with citrate at acidic pH.

## Key findings

- Sonication with organic ligands increases phlogopite dissolution, especially with citrate.
- Element extraction is significantly higher at pH 4 compared to pH 7.
- Ultrasound affects phlogopite surface morphology but does not prevent element reaccumulation.

## Abstract

Phlogopite, a mineral
produced in large quantities by the mining
industry, has potential applications in the cement industry, fertilizers,
and carbon storage, but its use is limited by the slow dissolution
caused by its stable crystalline structure. This study investigated
the combined effect of ultrasound waves and organic ligands (citrate,
oxalate, and ethylenediamine) on the extraction of elements from phlogopite
at acidic and neutral pH using batch dissolution experiments. It was
hypothesized that sonicated samples would exhibit improved dissolution
compared to mechanically stirred samples. The results showed that
the dissolution of phlogopite increases in sonicated samples in the
presence of an organic ligand. This enhancement depends on ligand
type, with the effect being notably higher in the case of the sample
containing citrate. In addition, pH plays an important role, as element
extraction percentages were significantly higher at an initial pH
of 4 compared to pH 7. The surface study suggests that ultrasound
waves affect the morphology of phlogopite; however, there is no noticeable
effect on preventing the reaccumulation of elements on the surface.
The findings suggest that sonication, along with organic ligands,
could be a useful processing step for the utilization of phlogopite
in different applications. This research provides novel insights into
the complex dynamics of enhanced dissolution and the interfacial interactions
involving sonication and organic ligands.