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Preparation of Pure Nb2O5 from Gabal El-Faliq Pegmatite, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

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Abstract

The present work is concerned with selective dissolution of niobium from Gabal El Faliq concentrate sample by using fluoride-free process. The chemical analysis of concentrate sample revealed the presence of high amount of ZrO2, Nb2O5, Re2O3, and HfO2 assaying 33.6, 1.99, 4.8, and 1.2%w/w respectively. Several economic minerals including zircon, samarskite, fergusonite, and xenotime were recorded in the studied sample. About 98% of Nb content was selectively dissolved at the optimum conditions of 1:2 concentrate sample: KOH weight ratio, 2.5 h fusion time, and fusion temperature of 550 °C. Organic solvent extraction process using Aliquat 336S in xylene was effectively used for preparing pure Nb2O5 (98.95%).

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Soliman A. Abdallah for the provision of Gabal El-Faliq concentrate sample and Dr. Hanaa A. Abu Khoziem for helping us in experimental work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

    Galal M. Abdel Wahab, Walid M. Abdellah & Amal E. Mubark

  2. Chemistry Department, College of Science and Arts, Jouf University, Alqurayyat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed M. Yousif

  3. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menofia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

    Ahmed M. Yousif

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  1. Galal M. Abdel Wahab
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  3. Ahmed M. Yousif
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  4. Amal E. Mubark
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Correspondence to Amal E. Mubark.

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Abdel Wahab, G.M., Abdellah, W.M., Yousif, A.M. et al. Preparation of Pure Nb2O5 from Gabal El-Faliq Pegmatite, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 39, 833–846 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00136-1

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