Serpentinites: Mineral Structure, Properties and Technological Applications

Serpentine is a versatile mineral family rich in Mg silicate with several polymorphic phases, mainly antigorite and lizardite, all of them with similar chemical composition (Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄). Their structures are generally composed of octahedral layers rich in Mg[MgO₂(OH)₄]^6- , attached to a tetrahedral silicate [Si₂O₅]^2- sheet. The unique physicochemical properties of serpentinites and the existence of large reserves in Brazil create new important opportunities for research and technological applications. In this work, serpentinites structures and properties are reviewed, as well as its occurrence and literature describing its applications in construction/ceramics, agriculture, as a silica source, in steel production, as an additive/filler in polymers, in the production of composites, adsorption of cations and organics contaminants, CO₂ capture and catalysis. The presence of harmful chrysotile associated with serpentinites, some of its properties and uses are also described.

Keywords:
serpentine; antigorite; lizardite; chrysotile; silicate minerals

Authorship

Ottavio Raul D. R. Carmignano

Doutorado Inovação/Mineradora Pedras Congonhas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBrazilBelo Horizonte, MG, BrazilDoutorado Inovação/Mineradora Pedras Congonhas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil

Ottavio Raul D. R. Carmignano is graduated in Law at Faculdade Milton Campos (MG-Brazil, 1996) and Masters in Socioeconomic Environmental Sustainability by the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP, MG-Brazil, 2015). He is Manager Partner at Pedras Congonhas Ltda, since 1992. He researches new applications for serpentinite rock in industrial markets. Currently he is a PhD student in innovation at Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, MG-Brazil).

Sara S. Vieira

Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBrazilBelo Horizonte, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil

Sara S. Vieira is graduated in Chemistry from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA, MG-Brasil-2009). She obtained her master’s and doctoral degree (2014) also by UFLA in the postgraduate program in Agrochemistry with Sandwich period in the Center of Structural Chemistry of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) of the University of Lisbon (2013). She held postdoctoral degrees at UNIFAL-MG and at the Chemistry Department at UFMG. Since 2010 she has focused her research on the evaluation of potential adsorbents and catalysts based on mesoporous silicates, iron oxides and mining residues. Her studies mainly evaluated the applicability of these materials as catalysts for the production of biofuel and products of greater added value.

Paulo Roberto G. Brandão

Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBrazilBelo Horizonte, MG, BrazilEscola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil

Paulo Roberto G. Brandão is Mining Engineer, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1968; Masters and PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 1982. Research Engineer and Research Supervisor, Magnesita Group (Brazil) during 15 years. Full Professor, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Department of Mining Engineering. He retired in 2003 and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. Areas of interest: ores and industrial minerals characterization and processing; reagents for minerals processing; recycling of mineral wastes, aggregation and dispersion of mineral slurries; ironmaking, ceramics and refractories. He has supervised 40 completed master’s theses and 24 completed doctoral theses; is co-author of circa 200 published papers in international refereed journals and in conference proceedings.

Alexandre C. Bertoli

Alexandre C. Bertoli is graduated in Chemistry from the University Center of Lavras (2009). He obtained his master’s and doctoral degree by UFLA (2014) in the postgraduate program in Agrochemistry with Sandwich period in the Center of Structural Chemistry of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) of the University of Lisbon (2013). He held postdoctoral degrees at UNIFAL-MG and at the Chemistry Department at UFMG. His researches are related to the mobility of trace metals in environmental/biological systems and molecular modeling applied to coordination compounds. His studies mainly evaluated the chemical speciation and mechanism of retention/complexation of heavy metals.

Rochel M. Lago ^**e-mail: rochel@ufmg.br

Rochel M. Lago is graduated at Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP, São Paulo State, Brazil) with MSc under the supervision of Prof Ulf Schuchardt. In 1992, he spent one year at Gifu University (Japan) followed by a PhD at Oxford University (United Kingdom) under the supervision of Prof M. L. H. Green and a Post‑Doc with Prof J. L. G Fierro at Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (Madrid, Spain) working always in the area of catalysis. In 2005, he went to University of Montreal (Canada) as a Visiting Researcher at the laboratories of Prof Richard Martel to work with carbon nanotubes and a Post-Doc at the business school HEC (Heutes Etudes Commerciales, Canada) with Prof L. J. Filion on the theme of technological entrepreneurship. He works at Department of Chemistry at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG, Minas Gerais State, Brazil) since 1997.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7145-6342

*e-mail: rochel@ufmg.br

Ottavio Raul D. R. Carmignano is graduated in Law at Faculdade Milton Campos (MG-Brazil, 1996) and Masters in Socioeconomic Environmental Sustainability by the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP, MG-Brazil, 2015). He is Manager Partner at Pedras Congonhas Ltda, since 1992. He researches new applications for serpentinite rock in industrial markets. Currently he is a PhD student in innovation at Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, MG-Brazil).

Sara S. Vieira is graduated in Chemistry from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA, MG-Brasil-2009). She obtained her master’s and doctoral degree (2014) also by UFLA in the postgraduate program in Agrochemistry with Sandwich period in the Center of Structural Chemistry of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) of the University of Lisbon (2013). She held postdoctoral degrees at UNIFAL-MG and at the Chemistry Department at UFMG. Since 2010 she has focused her research on the evaluation of potential adsorbents and catalysts based on mesoporous silicates, iron oxides and mining residues. Her studies mainly evaluated the applicability of these materials as catalysts for the production of biofuel and products of greater added value.

Paulo Roberto G. Brandão is Mining Engineer, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1968; Masters and PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 1982. Research Engineer and Research Supervisor, Magnesita Group (Brazil) during 15 years. Full Professor, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Department of Mining Engineering. He retired in 2003 and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. Areas of interest: ores and industrial minerals characterization and processing; reagents for minerals processing; recycling of mineral wastes, aggregation and dispersion of mineral slurries; ironmaking, ceramics and refractories. He has supervised 40 completed master’s theses and 24 completed doctoral theses; is co-author of circa 200 published papers in international refereed journals and in conference proceedings.

Alexandre C. Bertoli is graduated in Chemistry from the University Center of Lavras (2009). He obtained his master’s and doctoral degree by UFLA (2014) in the postgraduate program in Agrochemistry with Sandwich period in the Center of Structural Chemistry of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) of the University of Lisbon (2013). He held postdoctoral degrees at UNIFAL-MG and at the Chemistry Department at UFMG. His researches are related to the mobility of trace metals in environmental/biological systems and molecular modeling applied to coordination compounds. His studies mainly evaluated the chemical speciation and mechanism of retention/complexation of heavy metals.

Rochel M. Lago is graduated at Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP, São Paulo State, Brazil) with MSc under the supervision of Prof Ulf Schuchardt. In 1992, he spent one year at Gifu University (Japan) followed by a PhD at Oxford University (United Kingdom) under the supervision of Prof M. L. H. Green and a Post‑Doc with Prof J. L. G Fierro at Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (Madrid, Spain) working always in the area of catalysis. In 2005, he went to University of Montreal (Canada) as a Visiting Researcher at the laboratories of Prof Richard Martel to work with carbon nanotubes and a Post-Doc at the business school HEC (Heutes Etudes Commerciales, Canada) with Prof L. J. Filion on the theme of technological entrepreneurship. He works at Department of Chemistry at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG, Minas Gerais State, Brazil) since 1997.

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