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Open AccessArticle
Towards Safe Diatomite Sludge Management: Lead Immobilisation via Geopolymerisation
by
Haozhe Guo
Haozhe Guo 1,2,3,
Zhihao Huang
Zhihao Huang 4,
Baifa Zhang
Baifa Zhang
Dr. Baifa Zhang is a Lecturer and Master Supervisor at the School of Environmental Science and of He [...]
Dr. Baifa Zhang is a Lecturer and Master Supervisor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology. He completed his Master’s studies in Mineral Processing Engineering at the School of Resource Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, and PhD studies in Environmental Engineering at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is mainly engaged in the research of the green and low-carbon utilization of solid waste and mineral secondary resources, and his main research directions include the following: 1. Disposal and resource utilization of solid waste (such as slag, slag, fly ash, tailings, etc.). 2. Green low-carbon building materials such as recycled cement, rubber concrete, etc. 3. Environmental mineralogy and environmental mineral materials.
5
,
Ting Yu
Ting Yu 5,*
,
Thammaros Pantongsuk
Thammaros Pantongsuk 4
and
Peng Yuan
Peng Yuan
Prof. Peng Yuan is a Professor, Master Supervisor, and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Science [...]
Prof. Peng Yuan is a Professor, Master Supervisor, and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology. He completed his Master’s studies in the Department of Resources and Environmental Sciences, at Hefei University of Technology, and PhD studies at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is dedicated to the resource and environmental properties of minerals, their effects, and applications, and his main research directions are as follows: (1) Mineral–microorganism interface and its ecological and environmental effects. (2) Surface and interfacial reactivity and application of ultrafine clay and nanostructured mineral resources. (3) Green and low-carbon utilization of solid waste and secondary mineral resources and environmental pollution control.
5
1
Institute of Resources Utilization and Rare Earth Development, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
2
State Key Laboratory of Rare Metals Separation and Comprehensive Utilization, Guangzhou 510650, China
3
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Comprehensive Utilization of Mineral Resources, Guangzhou 510650, China
4
CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
5
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080763 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 13 June 2024
/
Revised: 12 July 2024
/
Accepted: 24 July 2024
/
Published: 27 July 2024
Abstract
Diatomite, a natural adsorbent rich in active silica, serves as a valuable precursor for geopolymer synthesis. The safe disposal of diatomite as a failed lead (Pb(II)) adsorbent is critical to prevent secondary contamination. This study investigated the immobilisation efficiency of geopolymerisation for Pb(II)-rich diatomite sludge. Low-grade diatomite with high ignition loss was utilised in the synthesis of alkali-activated geopolymers. It was demonstrated that the geopolymers achieved a compressive strength of 28.3 MPa with a 50% replacement rate of metakaolin by diatomite sludge, which was not a compromise in strength compared to that of the geopolymer with no Pb(II) (26.2 MPa). The leaching behaviour of Pb(II) was evaluated using water and acetic acid, yielding concentrations below 3 mg/L and immobilisation efficiencies of 95% in both scenarios. Analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) elucidated the mineral composition and chemical environment of the geopolymers. These analyses revealed that Pb(II) migrated from diatomite pores, potentially forming soluble hydroxides under sufficient hydroxide, which then participated in condensation with silicon and aluminium monomers, effectively immobilising Pb(II) within amorphous aluminosilicate gels. Furthermore, the formation of the amorphous gels within diatomite pores hindered Pb(II) leaching, encapsulating Pb(II) effectively. This study presents a novel approach to immobilising heavy metals within building materials, enhancing mineral resource utilisation efficiency while addressing environmental contamination concerns.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Guo, H.; Huang, Z.; Zhang, B.; Yu, T.; Pantongsuk, T.; Yuan, P.
Towards Safe Diatomite Sludge Management: Lead Immobilisation via Geopolymerisation. Minerals 2024, 14, 763.
https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080763
AMA Style
Guo H, Huang Z, Zhang B, Yu T, Pantongsuk T, Yuan P.
Towards Safe Diatomite Sludge Management: Lead Immobilisation via Geopolymerisation. Minerals. 2024; 14(8):763.
https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080763
Chicago/Turabian Style
Guo, Haozhe, Zhihao Huang, Baifa Zhang, Ting Yu, Thammaros Pantongsuk, and Peng Yuan.
2024. "Towards Safe Diatomite Sludge Management: Lead Immobilisation via Geopolymerisation" Minerals 14, no. 8: 763.
https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080763
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