Residue valorization: Preparation of recyclable organic amine adsorbent using laterite residue

This study focuses on exploiting the main component of traditional nickel metallurgical waste for use as a valuable material that can be applied in the removal of organic amines from water systems. Silicon compounds from metallurgic waste were converted into dissolvable sodium silicate by roasting the waste with alkali. Silica with adsorption capacity was combined with magnetic NiFe cores by the carbonation decomposition of purified silicate solution. The composite magnetic adsorbent was characterized, and its adsorption mechanism for organic amines was investigated. The effects of the initial trimethylamine concentration, contact time and temperature on the adsorption efficiency of the composite adsorbent towards trimethylamine were investigated. It was found that the adsorption fit the Freundlich mode well. The adsorption kinetics can be described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption capacity reached 55.8 μg/mg at 293 K. The use of metallurgical waste to prepare the magnetic composite adsorbent has three advantages, which include benefiting the environment by reducing the amount of solid waste and costs associated with constructing and maintaining storage facilities, generating valuable products in an economical manner and conveniently recycling used adsorbents to avoid secondary pollution.