Synthesis and Characterization of Leucite Using a Diatomite Precursor

Leucite is nowadays an important component in ceramic restoration systems with particular suitability to dental porcelains. The leucite synthesis from a hydrothermally-derived precursor is here presented. A silicate solution was prepared by mixing a naturally derived amorphous silica (diatomitic rock from Crotone, southern Italy) with potassium hydroxide and an aluminate solution was obtained by mixing aluminium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Three mixtures of varying ratios of aluminate and silicate solutions were prepared and submitted to hydrothermal treatment at 150 degrees C for one hour. Subsequently these hydrothermal precursors were subjected to calcination at the temperature of 1000 degrees C for variable time intervals, thus resulting in 3 series of syntheses. The synthesis run 3 turned out to be the best from the point of view of temporal yield showing the crystallization of the leucite after only 15 hours of heat treatment. The products of synthesis run 3 were fully characterised by Powder X-Ray Diffraction, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry, Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermal Analysis. The amorphous phase in the synthesis powders was estimated by quantitative phase analysis using the combined Rietveld and reference intensity ratio methods. Density of leucite was also achieved by He-pycnometry. The use of a cost effective starting material such as a diatomite in the experimental route makes the process highly attractive for expansion to an industrial scale especially considering that both the chemical and physical characterizations of our leucite product are highly satisfactory. Last but not least we explain some inferences that can be obtained from this process of synthesis in order to a better understanding of some natural occurrences of leucite in geologic systems related to basaltic magmas.