Title: Nano-structured calcium silicate as sorbent in a study of artificial mining waste

Authors: Thomas Borrmann; Mathew J. Cairns; Bradley G. Anderson; Wolfgang H. Holl; James H. Johnston

Addresses: School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. ' School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. ' School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. ' Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut fur Technische Chemie, Bereich Wasser – und Geotechnologie, Postfach 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. ' School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

Abstract: Nano-structured calcium silicate can adsorb a wide variety of ionic species. The mechanism of the uptake observed depends on the nature of the species and is selective towards the more insoluble hydroxides for cationic and insoluble calcium compounds for anionic sources. Additionally, waterborne solids can become trapped, with the silicate, acting as a filter. Artificial mining waste samples have been studied to show synergies and challenges, if the silicate is applied in commercial systems. From this investigation interesting possibilities for the synthesis of silicate derivatives aimed at the sorption of specific ions were formulated and tested.

Keywords: nanostructured calcium silicate; artificial mining waste; adsorbents; micro-adsorbents; selective sorption; synthesis; silicate derivatives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2011.042643

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.383 - 403

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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