Research Interests of Bill Carey

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies of Mineral Reactions:
I am interested in the basic energetic and kinetic factors governing the crystallization and dissolution of mineral phases. The thermodynamic studies have emphasized activity relations in solid solutions and their effect on mineral stability. My approach has involved the analysis of mineral equilibria and calorimetric data to develop thermodynamic models of compositional variation. The kinetic studies have interpreted thermal analysis data in terms of diffusion processes and have involved the application of precipitation/dissolution rate data to the evolution of hydrological conditions at Yucca Mountain.

Intracrystalline and Surface Sorption Phenomena:
Sorption processes in which ionic and non-ionic species are bound to mineral surfaces and intracrystalline regions are important in influencing the movement of contaminants through soil and bedrock and are important in industrial applications such as catalysis. My research effort has focused on the mechanism and energetics of sorption of water and surfactants on clays and zeolites. Water in zeolites and clays enhances the stability of these materials and affects their capacity to perform catalytic breakdown of nonpolar compounds (i.e., organics). Water also causes clays and silica gels to swell, but the degree of swelling is path dependent (hysteresis). Surfactant-modified zeolites and clays are capable of sorbing nonpolar organic molecules and have significant applications in environmental remediation.

Reactivty of Concrete Systems:
The hydration of cement produces calcium silicate hydrates with an amorphous structure that binds sand and aggregate to form a rigid concrete structure. The pore fluid in concrete is highly alkaline (pH > 12.5) and can be chemically aggressive to some minerals in the aggregate. Siliceous materials, such as volcanic glass, opal, strained quartz, and cristobalite are particularly susceptible to these fluids which results in what as known as the alkali silica reaction (ASR). The product of ASR is a swelling silicate gel that cracks concrete leading to premature failure of concrete structures. We are conducting structural and phase equilibria experiments to understand the nature of the ASR reaction and the thermodynamics of the water sorption that causes swelling. For additional information see the concrete home page

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