Phosphogypsum surface characterisation using scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

This paper presents the results of application of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to examinations of the samples of natural gypsum and phosphogypsum. Phosphogypsum has a well developed crystalline structure, and appear in two polymorphous forms, of rombic and hexagonal shape crystals. Natural gypsum has a poorly crystalline structure. The differences in crystalline structure influence the chemical behavior of these row materials.

Keywords

• scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• natural gypsum
• phosphogypsum