ejmse.2025.10.01.065

EXTRACTION OF ALUMINA FROM SELECTED NIGERIAN KAOLIN FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

European Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, Volume 10, Issue 1, 2025
PDF Full Article,  DOI: 10.36868/ejmse.2025.10.01.065,   pp. 65-74
Published: March 20, 2025

Reuben Adebare ADEWUYI1,*, Isah Bolaji KASHIM1, Oluwafemi Samuel ADELABU 1, Olugbenga Oludayo OLUWASINA1
1 Federal University of Technology Akure, Gaga 340110, Ondo, Nigeria

* Corresponding author: lamdan2004@gmail.com

Abstract

The extraction of alumina from selected Nigerian kaolin was investigated to assess its viability as a raw material for industrial applications. Kaolin samples from four locations Okpella, Afowa (white and black), and Ado Ekiti, were analyzed for their chemical composition and subjected to calcination and acid-leaching processes. The clays were calcined at 900°C to produce metakaolin, a precursor favorable for alumina extraction. Various concentrations of nitric acid (HNO₃) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were employed to leach alumina from the calcined samples. The leached alumina was precipitated as aluminum hydroxide and subsequently calcined at 900°C to yield alumina (Al₂O₃). The process efficiency was evaluated through XRF analysis, revealing recovery rates up to 92% under optimal conditions. This study demonstrates the potential of Nigerian kaolin as a sustainable source of alumina for industrial applications and highlights the influence of acid concentration and calcination on extraction efficiency..

Keywords: Acrylic bone cement, Cement-bone interface, BHR Prostheses, SEM analysis.

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