ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Effect of silica polymorph on forsterite formation and crystallinity

Imene Amiour, Ferhat Bouzerara, Foudil Sahnoune, Saleh M. Alluqmani, Mustafa M. Demir, and Seyra Toprak

Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics and Nanomaterials, Physics Department, Faculty of Exact Science, Jijel University, Jijel, Algeria

E-mail: f.bouzerara@univ-jijel.dz

Received: 23 December 2025  Accepted: 31 March 2026

Abstract:

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) via solid-state reactions between magnesium oxide (MgO) and three different silica polymorphs: quartz, cristobalite, and amorphous silica. The influence of silica structure on reaction kinetics, formation temperature, and final product purity was systematically analyzed. The synthesized powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis. The results show that the type and morphology of silica play a crucial role in determining the efficiency of forsterite formation. Amorphous silica demonstrated the highest chemical reactivity, enabling the formation of highly pure forsterite at significantly lower temperatures (~ 900 °C), making it the most energy-efficient option. Cristobalite offered a balance between reactivity and thermal stability, while quartz required higher temperatures and longer reaction times. This comparative study highlights the importance of silica phase selection in optimizing forsterite synthesis, offering insights into low-temperature processing routes for advanced ceramic materials with reduced energy demands.

Keywords: Quartz; Cristobalite; Amorphous silica; Forsterite; Phase transformation

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04863-w

Chemical Papers 80 (7) 7901–7907 (2026)