Structural studies of natural heulandite using infrared spectroscopy

Characterization of natural heulandite crystal (secured from Saputara, Dang District, Gujarat, India) by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive analysis by X-rays was carried out. The crystalline powder of the samples is treated at various equilibrium temperatures in the range 150-570 degrees C. The degree of crystallinity of the treated sample is assessed at all stages. The degree of dehydration and structural changes of the sample are studied using infrared spectroscopy. Changes in the phase and transformation of heulandite were studied from the results obtained by infrared spectral analysis. Differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses were used to estimate the steps of water losses and the phase change.