Structural Alterations in Mechanically Activated Malachite

Malachite, a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with the formula Cu2CO3(OH)2 was mechanically activated for di erent durations in a planetary mill and analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray di raction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and particle size analysis to investigate the structural alterations in malachite structure. The results showed that decrease in intensity of the X-ray di raction peaks and some alterations in carbonate and hydroxyl units of malachite occurred with increase in mechanical activation duration.