Reconstruction of Metal Ions Extracted from Coal Gangue to Synthesize Cost‐effective Adsorbent for Highly Efficient Removal of Pollutants

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal an Asian journal, 2023-06, Vol.18 (11), p.e202300146-n/a
• Main Authors: Zhao, Wen‐ting, Zhang, Huan, Feng, Ke, Wang, Tian‐yang, Han, Lei, Xing, Hai‐feng, Huang, Fei, Wang, Wen‐bo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid leaching; Adsorbents; Adsorption; Chemistry; Coal gangue; Decontamination; Dye; Gangue; Heavy metal; Heavy metals; Hydrogen bonds; Ion exchange; Methylene blue; Pollutants; Seawater; Solid wastes
• ISSN: 1861-4728; 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.202300146

An emerging “one stone, three birds” strategy was proposed to realize the value‐added disposal of solid waste coal gangue (CG), the synthesis of superb adsorbent and the efficient decontamination of pollutants (i. e., dyes, heavy metals). In this process, the metal ions extrated from calcined coal gangue (CCG) was reconstituted by a one‐step hydrothermal process to yield porous polymetallic silicate adsorbent (named HECCGA8h). The adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity of 270.27 and 185.53 mg/g for methylene blue (MB) and Cd(II), respectively. In the actual waters, the removal rate of MB by this adsorbent reaches 99.8% (in Yangtze River water) and 99.42% (in Seawater), and the removal rate of Cd(II) reaches 99.11% (in Yangtze River water) and 92.52% (in Seawater), respectively. Thermokinetic analysis showed that the adsorption of MB by HECCGA8h is spontaneous and endothermic with increased entropy, and the adsorption of Cd(II) is spontaneous and exothermic. The adsorption of MB is mainly driven by synergism of hydrogen bond, electrostatic attraction and ion exchange, and the adsorption of Cd(II) is mainly driven by the complexation and ion exchange between the surface group of the adsorbent and Cd(II). This research provides a new way for the realization of “treating waste with waste”. A feasible “one stone, three birds” strategy was developed to achieve simultaneously the harmless disposal and reutilization of waste acid‐leaching liquid, the synthesis of new materials and the efficient decontamination of dye or Cd(II) pollutants, by converting Al, Mg‐rich waste acid leachate into silicate adsorbent. The adsorbent showed excellent adsorption performance and reusability towards cationic dye and Cd(II) in real waters.