Waste-derived glass as a precursor for inorganic polymers: From foams to photocatalytic destructors for dye removal

Synthetic alumino-silicate glasses may yield inorganic polymers, through activation with alkali hydroxide solutions. In this framework, we formulated a glass prepared by the melting of red mud from bauxite refinement, combined coal combustion fly ash, discarded pharmaceutical and minor addition sodium carbonate. The 6 M NaOH aqueous solution allowed for manufacturing highly porous foams, gas generation at early stages gelation. These foams featured an extensive formation zeolite cell walls which, presence magnetite formed upon cooling melt, favoured application as sorbents dye removal contaminated water. powders crushing showed excellent water purification ability documented efficient methylene blue used model contaminant. specific iron oxide polymorph facilitated both magnetic recovery dispersed photocatalytic destruction under UV irradiation.