A comparative study was carried out on the chemical, structural and thermal properties of candelilla wax from four wax-producing communities in Mexico, which was obtained by two extraction processes, the conventional one using sulfuric acid (SA) and an eco-friendly alternative process using citric acid (CA) as the extracting agent. The waxes were analyzed by basic chemistry (acidity, saponification, ester indexes, and others), color, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman micro-spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and hardness and brittleness measurements. The waxes obtained by the environmentally friendly process showed differences in their physicochemical properties when compared to waxes from the conventional process. In addition, they showed some improvements, such as lighter shades and harder waxes, suggesting that the new environmentally friendly process is a viable option.

Molecular dynamics (MD) techniques offer significant potential for optimizing mineral extraction processes by simulating economically or physically restrictive conditions at the laboratory level. Lithium, a crucial metal in the electromobility era, exemplifies the need for ongoing re-evaluation of extraction techniques. This research aims to simulate the crystal structures of mineral species present in a polylithionite mineral concentrate [KLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂] using crystallographic data obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis. This study focuses on optimizing these structures, validating them through density comparisons, and determining the interaction parameter between the identified phases and lithium oxide (Li₂O). The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed five predominant mineral phases: quartz (SiO₂), calcite [Ca(CO₃)], pyrite (FeS₂), cassiterite (SiO₂), and a compound Pb₆O₂(BO₃)₂SO₄. Structural data, including lattice parameters, space groups, and atomic coordinates, were used to construct the crystal structures with Materials Studio 8.0, employing the Crystal Builder module. Optimization was performed using the Forcite module with the Smart optimization algorithm and the Universal force field. The interaction parameter (χ) indicated an affinity between lithium oxide and pyrite, as well as between calcite and quartz.

La demanda de productos metálicos obtenidos de la industria minero-metalúrgica ha aumentado con el paso del tiempo debido al amplio abanico de usos que tienen, un ejemplo es el manganeso. En México los minerales que contienen este elemento se emplean como materia prima en la industria siderúrgica, sin aprovechar su valor como producto comercializable. Un ejemplo es el manganeso metálico que se obtiene por el proceso de electrodeposición. Sin embargo, este proceso tiene el inconveniente de utilizar SeO2 como aditivo con la finalidad de inhibir la generación de gas hidrógeno por la reducción del agua. Este elemento es altamente tóxico y contaminante para el medio ambiente, por lo que este trabajo se enfoca en encontrar aditivos alternos más amigables con el medio ambiente sin afectar significativamente parámetros de eficiencias de corriente y consumos de energía.