Structural Alterations in Mechanically Activated Malachite

Malachite, a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with the formula $Cu_2CO_3(OH)_2$ was mechanically activated for different durations in a planetary mill and analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, 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 diffraction peaks and some alterations in carbonate and hydroxyl units of malachite occurred with increase in mechanical activation duration.