Physicochemical Research and Processing of Basic Rocks Laboratory

On the basis of physicochemical property studies, Armenian dunite, peridotite, and pyroxenite iron-magnesium serpentinized ultrabasic rocks have been chemically processed to obtain bischofite, MgCl2·6H2O.

An accessible and environmentally safe method for obtaining bischofite has been proposed. Unlike methods proposed by researchers in several countries, this process also yields two types of SiO2 in sufficient amounts—hydrosilicagel and nanosized layered silica—as well as ferric hydroxide. The method is patented in the Russian Federation, where the schematic process for obtaining bischofite is also presented.

Taking into account the specific features of hydrosilicagel and layered silica, which differ significantly from amorphous silica obtained from quartz, a number of low-temperature silicate compounds have been synthesized under mild conditions. For example, wollastonite CaSiO3 has been obtained from layered silica, with needle-like wollastonite crystals of different sizes depending on the type of serpentinite rock. Barium, strontium, zirconium, and zinc silicates have been synthesized from hydrosilicagel and corresponding metal salts; some of them were later used to obtain pigments. Similar work is now being carried out to obtain cobalt-doped silicate compounds, using metal oxides instead of salts. Work on obtaining different silicate compounds and pigments will continue with the involvement of other cationic systems.

With partial joint funding from the State Committee of Science and the National Academy of Sciences, pilot equipment was assembled and the task was successfully carried out: obtaining bischofite and silica materials by the proposed method.

The laboratory staff and the institute leadership hope that the proposed scheme will eventually be implemented for the benefit of the Republic of Armenia.