Determining aluminium co-ordination of kaolinitic clays before and after calcination with electron energy loss spectroscopy

Developing a greater understanding of kaolinite dehydroxylation upon calcination is crucial for several industrial applications, including cements. Aluminium coordination in meta-kaolinite indicates the extent of its dehydroxylation and its potential chemical reactivity, and it is typically determined using ²⁷Al magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This technique however presents limitations for Fe-rich materials, given the magnetic properties of Fe ions and minerals containing Fe. In this study, the effect of calcination on Al coordination was assessed in a low-Fe clay used as a reference system, and a Fe-rich clay. Al coordination in the low-Fe clay was quantified via ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra deconvolution, using data collected at 9.4 T and 11.7 T. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) maps and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements were carried out in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) on both clays. Al K-edge EEL spectra showed distinguishable 4/5-fold Al and 6-fold Al sites in both clay types. Differences in line-profile indicated a higher proportion of 4/5-fold Al in kaolinite in the Fe-rich clay compared to the low-Fe clay. Conversely, the Fe-rich clay contained a lower proportion of 4/5-fold Al in meta-kaolinite after calcination, relative to the low-Fe clay. These differences are consistent with the greater structural disorder of the meta-kaolinite identified in the Fe-rich clay by X-ray diffraction and the geological origins of both clays. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of EELS to provide information about Al coordination for individual kaolinite and meta-kaolinite particles.