High purity quartz: Research progress and perspective review

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2021.8.1

Abstract

Abstract:

Quartz is widely distributed on the Earth’s surface. It has a broad range of industrial uses and other application prospects. Natural quartz, however, are not entirely SiO₂ but contain other elements more or less, such as P, Ti, Ge, Al, B, Be, Ca, Na, K, H, and Li, affected by the physico-chemical conditions/properties of crystallizing melt or fluid as well as post-crystallization alterations (such as metamorphism, structural deformation, and thermal disturbance). Diagenetic study of quartz based on its trace element compositions plays a part in petrological and metallogenic investigations of mineral deposits. The impurity elements in quartz are in forms of lattice impurities or nano- to macro-scale inclusions, and the impurity type, quantity, and form (specially inclusions) affects the quality and industrial use of quartz directly. Here, topics including the luminescent properties and technical performance of quartz, quality classification and rating standard for high purity quartz, source materials of high purity quartz are systematically reviewed. Also, the distribution of fluid inclusions and types of mineral inclusions in quartz from the Zhangjinzhuang quartz sand (Northern Jiangsu) and Guposhan granite (Guangxi) were determined in this study by optical microscopy observations and laser Raman analysis to provide a basis for subsequent research. High purity quartz of high quality and value is naturally formed (such as crystal) or processed from high quality quartz raw materials. It is an environment-friendly strategic resource used in high-tech industries, such as semiconductor, high-temperature lamp tubing, fiber optics, precision optics, microelectronics, and solar energy. Researches on the evaluation system, ideal source rock and formation mechanism for high purity quartz raw materials are beneficial for ensuring a sustainable supply of high purity quartz raw materials and increasing the added value of quartz products.

Key words: quartz, high purity quartz, high purity quartz raw materials, quartz sand in Zhuangjinzhuang in Northern Jiangsu, Guposhan granite in Guangxi

CLC Number:

YANG Xiaoyong, SUN Chao, CAO Jingya, SHI Jianbin. High purity quartz: Research progress and perspective review[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2022, 29(1): 231-244.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig.1 Typical isomorphic substitution in quartz crystal. Adapted from [11].

Fig.2 BSE photos of submicron and nano inclusions. Adapted from [39]. (a) Submicron anatase (ilm), rutile (rt) and mica (m) inclusions in blue quartz from Llano rhyolite; (b) Rutile inclusions in the submicron and nanoscale metre grade (white punctate or needle-like) included in the Broken Hill blue quartz.

Fig.3 Fluid inclusions in quartz. a-d—Typical fluid inclusions in quartz from the Guposhan granite in Guangxi; e-g—Typical fluid inclusions in quartz from Zhangjinzhuang quartz sand, Northern Jiangsu Province. Photographic scales as shown in picture g.

Fig.4 Microphotographs and Roman spectra of representative mineral inclusions in quartz. a—Apatite inclusions contained in quartz from the Guposhan granite in Guangxi; b—Calcite inclusions in quartz from Zhangjinzhuang quartz sand, Northern Jiangsu; c—Microplagioclase inclusion in quartz from Zhangjinzhuang quartz sand, Northern Jiangsu province; d—Rutile inclusions in quartz from Zhangjinzhuang quartz sand, Northern Jiangsu Province.

Fig.5 Quality classification (according to total impurities) and price range of quartz, and minimum size of quartz deposit required for mining. Modified after [25].

Fig.6 Judgment criteria of quartz quality based on the contents of Al and Ti in quartz. Modified after [26].

Fig.7 Abundance range (grey bars) and average abundance (upper line) of elements in natural quartz, and the suggested maximum abundance of elements in high purity quartz (middle line) and in IOTA standard quartz (lower line). Modified after [27].

Table 1 Assessment indexes for high purity quartz raw materials. Modified after [28].

等级	$化学成分 w (Si O 2) / %$	$平均嵌布粒度 d (Qz) / mm$	脉石矿物种类	包裹体特征		晶格杂质
a	>99.9	>5	0种	气液相	已破坏	纯净
b	99.5~99.9	2~5	1种	占主要	稀疏分布	星染状类质同象
c	99.0~99.5	0.2~2	2种	部分	密集分布	杂质出溶现象
d	<99.0	<0.2	>3种	固相矿物占主要部分		明显石英环带结构

Table 1 Assessment indexes for high purity quartz raw materials. Modified after [28].

等级	$化学成分 w (Si O 2) / %$	$平均嵌布粒度 d (Qz) / mm$	脉石矿物种类	包裹体特征		晶格杂质
a	>99.9	>5	0种	气液相	已破坏	纯净
b	99.5~99.9	2~5	1种	占主要	稀疏分布	星染状类质同象
c	99.0~99.5	0.2~2	2种	部分	密集分布	杂质出溶现象
d	<99.0	<0.2	>3种	固相矿物占主要部分		明显石英环带结构

Table 2 Properties and preferred applications of quartz raw materials of different origins. Modified after [30].

石英成因	石英类型	属性	首选应用领域
岩浆/岩浆后成因	白岗岩石英	化学纯	高纯石英材料、光学、高温灯管、半导体、太阳能级Si
	伟晶岩	化学纯,晶体高度有序	光学和压电石英
	热液石英		石英合成、半导体、太阳能级Si、Si合金、玻璃
变质成因	石英岩	SiO₂含量可达>98%	难熔材料、Si材料、Si合金
变质成因	变质石英脉	化学纯	石英合成
沉积成因	石英砂	化学纯	玻璃和铸造工业、方石英、石英粉、Si玻璃、SiC
	石英砾石	化学纯	Si材料、Si合金、建筑工业
	沉积石英岩	化学纯,隐晶质SiO₂	难熔材料

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