Upcycling waste derived glass into high-performance photocatalytic scaffolds by alkali activation and direct ink writing

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 2; p. e24737
• Main Authors: Mahmoud, Mokhtar, Kraxner, Jozef, Mehta, Akansha, Elsayed, Hamada, Galusek, Dušan, Bernardo, Enrico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 30.01.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Alkali activation; Direct ink writing; Methylene blue; Photocatalyst; Vitrification; Direct ink writing; Additive manufacturing; Photocatalyst; Alkali activation; Vitrification; Methylene blue
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24737

Novel and eco-friendly solutions are extensively needed for wastewater treatment. This work capitalizes on the combination of waste vitrification and additive manufacturing to produce an efficient photocatalyst for the specific purpose. Fine powders of waste-derived glass, containing Fe3O4 inclusions, by simple suspension (for a solid loading of 65 wt %) in alkaline solution (5 M NaOH), were transformed into pastes for direct ink writing. 3D-printed reticulated scaffolds were stabilized by the progressive hardening of a zeolite-like gel, formed by glass/solution interaction, at nearly room temperature. The printed scaffolds were successfully tested for the removal of methylene blue, realized by combining the high sorption capacity of the gel with the catalytic activity of magnetite inclusions, under UV light. A complete degradation of methylene blue is achieved by 90 min exposure, comparing favorably with other reported photocatalytic materials, requiring from 60 to 360 min. The photocatalytic activity was tested for several cycles, with no significant degradation. In other words, a waste-derived material can be reused for multiple times, to remediate wastewaters, with evident benefits on waste minimization. [Display omitted]