In this study, four Hsiang-Yang mica powders, as received, ground in a beads mill and classified into >10 μm and <2 μm samples were tested in hydrothermal reactions. Each of these samples was mixed and reacted with NaOH of three ranges of concentration at 240 °C. For each NaOH concentration range, the four Hsiang-Yang mica powders had the same dominant zeolite or feldsparthoid mineral products. For [NaOH] ≤ 1M, the product is analcime; for 1M<[NaOH] <5M, hydroxycancrinite; and for [NaOH] ≥ 5M, hydroxysodalite. Hydroxycancrinite can be easily synthesized from >10 μm sample, which is composed of 70% pyrophyllite and 30% sericite. Hydroxysodalite can be easily synthesized from <2 μm sample, which is composed of 70% pyrophyllite and 30% sericite. At low NaOH concentrations, pyrophyllite always disappeared at a faster rate than sericite indicating pyrophyllite is more reactive than sericite. At high NaOH concentrations, there is no significant difference in reaction rate because the dissolution behaviors of the two minerals become similar.
In this study, four Hsiang-Yang mica powders, as received, ground in a beads mill and classified into >10 μm and <2 μm samples were tested in hydrothermal reactions. Each of these samples was mixed and reacted with NaOH of three ranges of concentration at 240 °C. For each NaOH concentration range, the four Hsiang-Yang mica powders had the same dominant zeolite or feldsparthoid mineral products. For [NaOH] ≤ 1M, the product is analcime; for 1M<[NaOH] <5M, hydroxycancrinite; and for [NaOH] ≥ 5M, hydroxysodalite. Hydroxycancrinite can be easily synthesized from >10 μm sample, which is composed of 70% pyrophyllite and 30% sericite. Hydroxysodalite can be easily synthesized from <2 μm sample, which is composed of 70% pyrophyllite and 30% sericite. At low NaOH concentrations, pyrophyllite always disappeared at a faster rate than sericite indicating pyrophyllite is more reactive than sericite. At high NaOH concentrations, there is no significant difference in reaction rate because the dissolution behaviors of the two minerals become similar.