Production of Porous Ceramic Materials from Spent Fluorescent Lamps

Spent fluorescent lamps (SFL) are classified as hazardous materials in the European Waste Catalogue, which includes residues from various hi-tech devices. The most common end-of-life treatment of SFL consists recovery rare earth elements phosphor powders, with associated problems management glass residues, usually landfilled. This study involves manufacturing porous ceramics both coarse glass-rich fraction and phosphor-enriched spent lamps. These materials, realizing immobilization Rare Earth Elements (REEs) within a matrix, suggested for application buildings thermal acoustic insulators. proposed process is characterized by: (i) alkaline activation (2.5 M or 1 NaOH aqueous solution); (ii) pre-curing at 75 °C; (iii) addition surfactant (Triton X-100) foaming high-speed stirring; (iv) curing 45 (v) viscous flow sintering 700 °C. All final present limited metal leaching and, particular, activated 2.5 solution leads to comparable commercial foams terms mechanical properties.