Effect of Aluminium Powder on Kaolin-Based Geopolymer Characteristic and Removal of Cu2+

Abstract

This current work focuses on the synthesis of geopolymer-based adsorbent which uses kaolin as a source material, mixed with alkali solution consisting of 10M NaOH and Na2SiO3 as well as aluminium powder as a foaming agent. The experimental range for the aluminium powder was between 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2wt%. The structure, properties and characterization of the geopolymer were examined using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Adsorption capacity and porosity were analysed based on various percentages of aluminium powder added. The results indicate that the use of aluminium powder exhibited a better pore size distribution and higher porosity, suggesting a better heavy metal removal. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu2+ approached approximately 98%. The findings indicate that 0.8% aluminium powder was the optimal aluminium powder content for geopolymer adsorbent. The removal efficiency was affected by pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The optimum removal capacity of Cu2+ was obtained at pH 6 with 1.5 g geopolymer adsorbent and 4 h contact time. Therefore, it can be concluded that the increase in porosity increases the adsorption of Cu2+.

Assessment of the Suitability of Ceramic Waste in Geopolymer Composites: An Appraisal

“…The ceramic industrial waste region currently overruled the eco-logical influence of this form of waste by a decrease from the restricted natural resources of the kaolinite. It may be employed as a raw material through substitution as metakaolin in the construction sector [65,66].…”

Infrared Spectroscopy Studies of Aluminum Oxide and Metallic Aluminum Powders, Part I: Thermal Dehydration and Decomposition

“…Metallic aluminum powders have a wide variety of engineering applications, including catalysis [1][2][3], propulsion [4][5][6], pigments [7,8], and as foaming agents [9]. Aluminum continues to find innovative uses and is prominent in the continuing evolution of additive manufacturing [10][11][12].…”

Influence of Sintering Temperature of Kaolin, Slag, and Fly Ash Geopolymers on the Microstructure, Phase Analysis, and Electrical Conductivity

“…Several studies were conducted to identify an alternative material which possesses outstanding thermal stability and fire resistance in elevated temperature. Geopolymers are an amorphous three-dimensional (3D) aluminosilicate system, which was synthesised at ambient or slightly higher temperature by alkaline activation of suitable precursor raw material from industrial waste, fly ash [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], slag [ 7 , 8 ], and kaolin [ 9 , 10 ]. It was shown that these inorganic materials that were identified, delivered an exceptional performance at elevated temperatures.…”