Solvent Influence on Kinetics and Dissolution Mechanism of Quartz in Concentrated Basic Media (NaOH, KOH, LiOH)

Quartz chemical lapping of AT and SC cuts in concentrated basic solvents and mixtures (NaOH, KOH, LiOH) has led us to study the dissolution mechanism of quartz in order to explain the experimental results in terms of kinetic evolutions. Using X-ray diffraction and 29Si NMR analysis of the species in solution, we propose a dissolution mechanism of quartz in concentrated basic solutions. According to the dissolution process, and taking into account the nature and the size of the alkali cation of the solvent, we explain the kinetic curve evolution.