Author(s):
1. Zoran Petrović, Tehnološki fakultet Zvornik Univeritet u Istočnom Sarajevu, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Aleksandra Radulović, Institut za opštu i fizičku hemiju Beograd, Serbia
3. Pero Dugić, Faculty of Technology Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Sabina Begić, Tehnološki fakultet Univerziteta u Tuzli, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Dragana Kešelj, Tehnološki fakultet Zvornik Univerziteta u Istočnom Sarajevu, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
6. Sanja Panić, Tehnološki fakultet Univerziteta u Novom Sadu, Serbia

Abstract:
Kaolin clays, due to their phaze and the chemical compozition ass well ass their potential for modification trough various processes, have a wide range off aplications. In this study, chemical activation of domestic kaolin from the „Crna Dolina“ deposit near Prijedor (BH) was carried out under laboratory conditions using an 8% w/w hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. The process parameters were as follows: temperature 95°C, contact time 180 minutes, and a kaolin to HCl ratio of 1:5. The effects of activation were evaluated by analyzing the composition, structural, textural, and morphological characteristics of the kaolin before and after activation using modern characterization techniques (XRD, FTIR, EDXRF, SEM/EDS, and BET).The activation resulted in slight changes in composition (an increase in SiO₂ content, and a decrease in Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, and K₂O oxides, with complete removal of CaO). The activated kaolin exhibited an approximately 55.0% increase in specific surface area, a 1.4-fold increase in adsorption capacity, and a 1.37-fold increase in the proportion of d₅₀ particle size. Further research on the effects of acid activation of domestic kaolin should include the use of other inorganic acids or hydrochloric acid (HCl) at higher concentrations.

Key words:
Natural kaolin,Hydrochloric acid,Acid-activated kaolin,Composition,Structural characteristics,Textural characteristics,Morphological characteristics

Date of abstract submission:
11.08.2025.

Conference:
Contemporary Materials 2025 - Savremeni Materijali

Abstract