Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. Research Article Vol. 42, No. 1, 2023 100 Research Article Pre-Proof File Mineralogical and Physicochemical Characterization of Enugu Iva-Pottery Silica-Rich Deposit for Ceramics Applications Sunday Chukwuemeka Agbo* +● ; Eunice Uche Ekpunobi, Caius Chukwudi Onu Ceramic Research and Production Department, Projects Development Institute (PRODA), ENUGU Edwin Chika Oriaku Engineering Research Development and Production Department, Project Development Institute (PRODA), ENUGU ABSTRACT: The exploration of indigenous raw materials that are pure and simple to process for ceramics is a scalable option for locally-made ceramics products. This study involves the characterization of unexplored silica-rich sand deposits at Iva-pottery, Enugu North local government area in Enugu state Nigeria for their ceramic industrial potential. The physicochemical properties of Iva-pottery silica-rich sand were determined. The crystalline phase components and elemental compositions of the oxide were investigated with an X-ray diffractometer and an X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer respectively. The silica was used in ceramics composition as a filler and glaze formulation as glass former. The results obtained showed mainly a siliceous crystalline phase with a minor amorphous phase and contains 74.55% SiO2, 13.02% Al2O3, and 0.55% Fe. The grain size in the raw form is in the range of 0.18 mm to 0.075 mm (100mesh to + 200 mesh range) without involving ceramic raw materials processing equipment such as a ball mill as well as a high percentage of alumina (13.02) contents as compared to conventional silica with alumina 0.02% to 0.5% range. The high alumina which forms mullite at sintering temperature brings about a low thermal coefficient and hence, suitable chemical stability and resistance to thermal shock. These rare qualities make the Iva-pottery silica-rich sand an emergent material suitable for glaze formulation and filler in ceramic bodies. Thus, it is recommended that the Iva-pottery silica-rich sand deposits in their raw form can be exploited for the formulation of varied glaze temperature ranges and also for the refractory industry. Iva-pottery silica-rich deposits in their raw form, do not meet the requirements of high tech- ceramics applications. KEYWORDS: Ceramic application; Enugu; Iva-pottery silica sand; Minerals; X-ray diffractometer. INTRODUCTION Background of study Silica is the most abundant compound on the earth’s crust, Silica is the name given to a group of minerals composed solely of silicon and oxygen, the two most abundant elements in the earth’s crust, it is composed of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen and it is * To whom correspondence should be addressed. + E-mail: agbosunny1@gmail.com ● Other Address: Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, AWKA 1021-9986/2023/1/100-110 11/$/6.01