The study of characteristics of natural nanomaterial diatomite by electron microscope method

Abstract

This paper describes the electron microscopic analysis of diatomite rock samples of «Zhalpak» area of Mugalzhardistrict of Aktobe region. The work was carried out by a scanning electron microscope G2 Pro of Phenom World firm. The topography in structureofdiatom species of «Zhalpak» area was determined. In all images obtained with an electron microscope G2 Pro were found the objects with pores diameters less than 200 nm proving the nanostructure of diatomite. The main part of the rock consists of small opal remains of planktonic diatoms (about 70 %), up to 0.14–0.16 mm in size, and samples with size up to 0.20–0.22 mm are found. The valves of the diatoms are cylindrical, linear (rod-shaped) and disk-shaped. The walls of the leaflets are penetratedby pores up to 200 nm in size. The space between the remains of diatoms is filled with colloform silica. As an impurity, short-needle scales of clay minerals up to 0.01–0.02 mm in size are present. According to the research, the samples taken from the Zhalpak area belong to the siliceous biogenic rock. Siliceous biogenic rocks have in their composition silica, represented by the remains of organisms that build a skeleton of silicon dioxide (spicules of sponges, diatom valves, skeletons of radiolarians). Comparative analysis showed that the diatomite of the Aktyubinsk deposit is more qualitative in composition. It can be used as an element of artistic paints, rheological and matting additives, since it meets the requirements of pore sizes of similar materials — 5–50 microns, and also as filters for water purification.