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

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.