Formation, structure, and thermal stability evolution of ternesite based on a single-stage sintering process

Ternesite was prepared via a single-stage solid-state reaction from stoichiometric quantities of the CaCO3, SiO2 and CaSO4·2H2O precursors. In this paper, the formation, structure, and thermal stability evolution of ternesite during sintering were investigated ex situ after quenching. The optimal sintering temperature for the formation of high-purity ternesite was approximately 1200 °C for 12 h, of which the purity level can reach as high as 96.3%. The results from scanning electron microscopy analysis suggest that the formation of ternesite benefited from the preformation of the intermediate silicate phase. Increasing the sintering temperature from 1100 °C to approximately 1250 °C was favourable for the growth of ternesite crystals, and a prolonged duration can also promote this behaviour. The structural perfection and symmetry of ternesite crystals increased with its growth, which was demonstrated by a multimethod approach. By means of thermal analysis, the growth and structural development of ternesite crystals during sintering eventually resulted in a higher thermal stability. •The synthesis of high-purity ternesite based on a single-stage sintering process was firstly studied.•The formation mechanism and crystallization behaviour of ternesite during sintering were investigated.•The structure perfection and symmetry of ternesite crystals were increased with its growth.•The growth and structural development of ternesite crystals during sintering resulted in a higher thermal stability of itself.