SYNTHESIS OF MATERIALS WITH A HIGH SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA FROM BLAST FURNACE SLAG

Materials with a high specific surface area (329-621 m(2)/g) were synthesized by modification of blast furnace slag. The process included chemical and thermal treatment. Four samples were obtained as the chemical treatment was conducted at various values of pH. ICP-OES, XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET-analysis and other methods were applied for phase and structural characterization of materials. The chemical composition and structure of materials including their specific surface area have been significantly changed from that of the original blast furnace slag. Predominant amorphous silicate or aluminosilicate phase with less than 6% barite was found in the synthesized materials. Relationships between the conditions of synthesis, chemical composition and structure of the obtained materials were identified as well as the possibility for their use as catalysts or catalyst support.