An introductory TEM study of Fe-nanominerals within coal fly ash

L.F.O. Silva ^a,*, T. Moreno ^b, X. Querol ^b

^a Catarinense Institut of Environmental Research and Human Development — GPADHC, Capivari de Baixo, Santa Catarina, Brazil
^b Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Lluis Solé y Sabarís s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain

The investigation presented here was conducted during a wider experiment on the technical feasibility and environmental impacts of tire combustion in a Brazilian coal-fired power station. Nanometric-sized crystalline phases in fly ash were characterised using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. The nanoparticles, which register abundance peaks at 10 nm and 100 nm, include iron-rich oxide (e.g. hematite), Fe-sulphate (e.g., yavapaiite: KFe(SO₄)₂), and Fe-aluminumsilicate glass. Individual metalliferous nanoparticles have a heterogeneous microstructure in which elements such as iron, aluminum and silicon are not uniformly distributed. HR-TEM offers a powerful analytical technique in the study of fly ash nanoparticles, providing a better understanding of the detailed chemistry of this potentially strongly bioreactive component of atmospheric particulate matter.

For The Complete Subject Matter: CLICK HERE