Open Access
Enhancing adsorptive performance of Cu-Al layered double hydroxides from aluminum saline slags: Insights from response surface methodology and molecular dynamic simulation
(Elsevier, 2024-12-01) Boulahbal, Aziza Imene; Santamaría Arana, Leticia; Bourzami, Riahd; Bendrihem, Aymene Salah; Boutahala, Mokhtar; Korili, Sophia A.; Gil Bravo, Antonio; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
This study aims to optimize the adsorption process of gallic acid (GA) on Cu-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) synthesized via a co-precipitation method at various pH levels. The procedure is based on the adsorption of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions, with evaluations carried out based on operational parameters such as pH, initial concentration, and adsorbent quantity. Two series of LDHs were compared: one using aluminum extracted from saline slags and the other using a commercial aluminum salt as source of aluminum. Saline slags, a by-product of aluminum recycling, are particularly hazardous due to their high toxicity and potential for environmental contamination. Extracting aluminum from these slags and using it in the synthesis of LDHs not only helps in eliminating a dangerous waste but also creates materials with beneficial environmental applications. The adsorption process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with Box- Behnken design (BBD) to assess the effects of key operational parameters. Besides gallic acid, other organic pollutants such as diclofenac and salicylic acid were also evaluated for removal from aqueous solution. The LDH /LDO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ATR infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption at -196ºC. The merit data indicate that the material synthesized at pH = 9 with extracted aluminum exhibits superior adsorption capacity for gallic acid, demonstrating the highest removal rate, nearly reaching 100 %, and achieving equilibrium more quickly than other samples. This superior adsorption performance is also notable for salicylic acid and diclofenac. After four regeneration cycles, the adsorption rate of the adsorbent remains stable, indicating that CCA9 maintains a consistent and efficient adsorption performance. This highlights the robustness of the material and its high reusability in prolonged adsorption applications. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) revealed that the adsorption process occurs spontaneously, driven by weak interactions: van der Waals, intermolecular, hydrogen bonding, π-interactions and short contacts.
Open Access
Saline slag waste as an aluminum source for the synthesis of Zn–Al–Fe–Ti layered double-hydroxides as catalysts for the photodegradation of emerging contaminants
(Elsevier, 2020) Santamaría Arana, Leticia; Vicente, Miguel Ángel; Korili, Sophia A.; Gil Bravo, Antonio; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Ciencias; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, PI017-PI039 CORRAL
In this work, aluminum extracted from saline slag waste is valorized to create a layered double-hydroxide series containing zinc and various proportions of aluminum/titanium. Materials were synthesized by the co-precipitation method with an Me2+/Me3+ molar ratio of 3:1 and tested for the removal of diclofenac and salicylic acid from water under UV radiation. The incorporation of 5 wt% iron by wet impregnation is evaluated. In addition, another series of zinc, aluminum/iron materials with and without 5 wt% impregnated titanium are tested as catalysts for comparison. Structural characterization and comparison of the two series was performed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) measurements. The uncalcinated samples had a typical hydrotalcite structure with a high crystallinity; the presence of ZnO, ZnFe2O4 or Fe3O4 was found after calcination. The specific surface areas of the dried samples ranged from 78 to 199 m2/g, being highest for Zn6Al0.5Ti1.5. Overall, the results showed that the ZnAlTi series were more effective catalysts than ZnAlFe for photodegradation of the emerging contaminants diclofenac and salicylic acid, under UV light at 298 K, considering two concentrations of the organic molecules (5 and 50 μmol/dm3).

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