Synthesis of mesoporous silica materials from municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash

Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-glycerol composite films incorporating nanosilica from municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash

This study investigates the fabrication of a composite film composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and glycerol, incorporating nanosilica derived from municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (BA). The nanosilica is blended with a PVA film-forming solution containing glycerol as a plasticizer. The composite films are characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is conducted to evaluate the thermal properties, while the mechanical properties are assessed in terms of tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB). The results indicate that the presence of silica nanoparticles reduces transparency and increases film thickness in the presence of glycerol. Notably, the film containing 1% silica demonstrates a significant enhancement in tensile strength, exhibiting a 50% increase compared to the film without silica. However, higher silica loadings lead to a deterioration in mechanical properties due to silica agglomeration within the polymer matrix. As expected, the presence of silica in the films slightly elevates the degradation temperature.

Activation behavior of the novel CO2 foaming agent for mining on fly ash

Although there have been many research results on the chemical activation of fly ash (FA) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in cementitious materials. However, there is a lack of research on the use of CO2 foaming agent (sodium bicarbonate and potassium aluminum sulfate) to activate fly ash. In this experiment, the effects of CO2 foaming agent, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium aluminum sulfate on the activity of FA mixed paste were investigated. The mechanism of FA activation by activator was revealed by selective acid dissolution, QXRD, BSE-EDS statistical analysis, and quantitative analysis of TGA. The results showed that the remaining fly ash amounts of MG, SBG, and PASG after 28 days were 17.5%, 25.9%, and 43.3% lower than those of the control group, respectively. In addition, potassium aluminium sulphate promoted hydration to generate more CH to activate the FA. Sodium bicarbonate promoted hydration and produces more CH to activate FA by generating nano-CaCO3. The mixture of sodium bicarbonate and potassium aluminum sulfate took advantage of both nano-CaCO3 and potassium aluminum sulfate to promote silicate hydration to provide CH. As a result, the two synergistically activate FA. The above results show that CO2 foaming agents can be used not only as foaming agents to prepare lightweight materials, but also as chemical activators to activate solid waste. This will have a high practical application value.

Production of biosilica nanoparticles from biomass power plant fly ash

When it comes to the combustion of biomass, per ton of solid biofuel will generate 70 kg ash on average. Additionally, these ashes have a high specific surface area, especially fly ash, which may adsorb harmful substances and damage to human health. This work was aimed to reutilize biomass power plant fly ash to produce silica material, to reduce the hazard of ash landfill for environment. The ash underwent acid leaching with 1.5 M HCl after proper heating pre-treatment. Then, 2 M NaOH was direct to react with residue to obtain sodium silicate. Finally, acid titration of solution was used to precipitate silica. The results showed that the amorphous silica has been produced from fly ash successfully with the purity from 44.41% to 93.63% and yield of 20.45%, and the optimal calcination conditions for amorphous transformation of silica in fly ash were temperature of 611 °C with time of 5 h and the minimum crystallinity was 17.41%, modeled with response surface methodology. Spectroscopy analysis revealed that the three-dimensional network silica was hydroxylated to form the linear structure. Thermal analysis indicated that the decomposition of silanol groups tend to be stable at 400 °C, but the ash was decomposing up to 1000 °C. Morphological analysis demonstrated that BET surface area ranged from 24 m²/g to 115 m²/g, agglomerate particle size from 380.9 nm to 178.8 nm, when the ash was conversion to spherical silica. Consequently, it is possible to turn blend biomass fly ash into amorphous silica nanoparticles.

NAC-loaded electrospun scaffolding system with dual compartments for the osteogenesis of rBMSCs in vitro

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to develop a unique N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) electrospun system with separate compartments for the promotion of osteogenesis.

Materials and methods

We first prepared solutions of NAC-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), PLGA, and NAC in N, N-dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran for the construction of the electrospun system. We then fed solutions to a specific injector for electrospinning. The physical and chemical properties of the scaffold were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The release of NAC and Si from different PLGA scaffolds was estimated. The cell viability, cell growth, and osteogenic potential of rat bone marrow-derived stroma cell (rBMSCs) on different PLGA scaffolds were evaluated through MTT assay, live/dead staining, phalloidin staining, and Alizarin red staining. The expression levels of osteogenic-related markers were analyzed through real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

NAC was successfully loaded into MSNs. The addition of MSNs and NAC decreased the diameters of the electrospun fibers, increased the hydrophilicity and mechanical property of the PLGA scaffold. The release kinetic curve indicated that NAC was released from (PLGA + NAC)/(NAC@MSN) in a biphasic pattern, that featured an initial burst release stage and a later sustained release stage. This release pattern of NAC encapsulated on the (PLGA + NAC)/(NAC@MSN) scaffolds enabled to prolong the high concentrations of release of NAC, thus drastically affecting the osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs.

Conclusion

A PLGA electrospun scaffold was developed, and MSNs were used as separate nanocarriers for recharging NAC concentration, demonstrating the promising use of (PLGA + NAC)/(NAC@MSN) for bone tissue engineering.

Effect of alkaline fusion on muscovite decomposition and the vanadium release mechanism from vanadium shale

In order to figure out the decomposition of muscovite and the release mechanism of vanadium from vanadium shale in the alkaline fusion process, the process of vanadium release and roasting kinetics by alkaline fusion was studied. It was found that the addition of sodium hydroxide made the muscovite convert into the sodium silicate and gehlenite. This process promoted the dissolution of silicon and the destruction of muscovite, which could facilitate the release of vanadium. The kinetic analysis indicated that the controlling step of vanadium transformation reaction is changed from chemical reaction control to diffusion control with the increase of roasting time. Compared to the diffusion controlling step, the vanadium related chemical reaction was completed in the first period. The alkaline fusion reaction enhanced the decomposition of muscovite, which could accelerate the release of vanadium and reduce the dependence on high temperature and time in the roasting process. The apparent activation energies of chemical reaction control and diffusion control were 42.24 kJ mol^-1 and -9.553 kJ mol^-1, respectively. The kinetic model of vanadium extraction from vanadium shale using alkaline fusion could be finally established.

Use of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ashes in alkali-activated materials, ceramics and granular applications: A review

This paper presents a literature review on the incorporation of municipal solid waste incinerated bottom ash as raw material in several markets, other than those where it is conventionally used, such as geotechnical applications and road pavement construction. The main findings of an ample selection of experimental investigations on the use of the bottom ash as precursor of alkali-activated materials, as an adsorbent material for the removal of hazardous elements from wastewater and landfill gases, as soil replacement in agricultural activities, as partial or complete substitute of raw materials for the manufacture of ceramic-based products, as landfill cover and as biogas production enhancer, were gathered, collated and analysed.

Cellular Mutagenicity and Heavy Metal Concentrations of Leachates Extracted from the Fly and Bottom Ash Derived from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration

Two incinerators in Taiwan have recently attempted to reuse the fly and bottom ash that they produce, but the mutagenicity of these types of ash has not yet been assessed. Therefore, we evaluated the mutagenicity of the ash with the Ames mutagenicity assay using the TA98, TA100, and TA1535 bacterial strains. We obtained three leachates from three leachants of varying pH values using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test recommended by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (Taiwan EPA). We then performed the Ames assay on the harvested leachates. To evaluate the possible relationship between the presence of heavy metals and mutagenicity, the concentrations of five heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the leachates were also determined. The concentrations of Cd and Cr in the most acidic leachate from the precipitator fly ash and the Cd concentration in the most acidic leachate from the boiler fly ash exceeded the recommended limits. Notably, none of the nine leachates extracted from the boiler, precipitator, or bottom ashes displayed mutagenic activity. This data partially affirms the safety of the fly and bottom ash produced by certain incinerators. Therefore, the biotoxicity of leachates from recycled ash should be routinely monitored before reusing the ash.