Utilization of Leached Spent Vanadium Catalyst Residue as Active Silica Filler in Sulfur Concrete: A Chemical Pathway for Industrial Waste Valorization
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Ukryj
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Research Laboratory "Industrial Biotechnology", M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Tauke Khan Avenue 5, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
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Department of «Architecture and design», Kuatbekov University of Friendship of Peoples, Tole bi Street, 32a, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
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Department of «Chemistry and biology», Kuatbekov University of Friendship of Peoples, Tole bi Street, 32a, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
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"SOIL ECO BIOTECHNOLOGY" China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory (SEBT Joint Lab), Tashkent Institute of Chemical Technology, Navoi Street 32, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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Science Department, Kuatbekov University of Friendship of Peoples, Tole bi Street, 32a, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
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Department of Life safety and environmental protection, M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
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Autor do korespondencji
Zhakylyk Makhatov
Department of Life safety and environmental protection, M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
SŁOWA KLUCZOWE
DZIEDZINY
STRESZCZENIE
This study presents a resource-efficient chemical pathway for valorizing leached silica residue from spent vanadium catalysts as an active mineral filler in dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-modified sulfur concrete. X-ray diffraction confirmed the silica residue as alpha-cristobalite (ICDD 00-039-1425) with a specific surface area of 15.0 ± 1.2 m²/g and mesoporous structure (6-8 nm pore size). The optimal 15 wt.% loading increased compressive strength by 42% to 68.4 ± 1.2 MPa and flexural strength by 56% to 8.4 ± 0.2 MPa, with water absorption below 0.5%. FTIR spectroscopy revealed enhanced Si-O-Si stretching at 1098 cm⁻¹ and surface Si-OH groups at 3400-3740 cm⁻¹, indicating active interfacial sites. SEM analysis showed transition from adhesive failure (SC-0) to cohesive failure (SC-15) with sulfur infiltration depth of 2-5 μm, as confirmed by EDX elemental line scan (98.2% S bulk → 85% S interface → 45% Si core). Thermal cycling (100 cycles, −20 to +60 °C) demonstrated 92 ± 3% strength retention. Chemical resistance testing over 28-day immersion in 5% H₂SO₄, 5% NaOH, and 5% Na₂SO₄ confirmed 97.2-98.5% strength retention with absolute residual strength of 66.5-67.4 MPa. Thermogravimetric analysis showed 0.12% mass loss at 200 °C, confirming absence of catalytic oxidation by residual vanadium (0.075% V₂O₅). Long-term monitoring over 90 days revealed gradual beta-to-alpha transformation at ~0.08%/day with 94% strength retention. Techno-economic analysis for Kazakhstan (2025) indicated a production cost of 62 USD/m³, representing 27% reduction versus standard sulfur concrete and 5% reduction versus Portland cement. CO₂ emissions of approximately 13 kg/m³ represent 97% reduction versus Portland cement. A unified three-scale stabilization mechanism is proposed, encompassing molecular-level DCPD/Si-OH interactions, microstructural capillary infiltration, and macroscopic void filling. This work establishes a dual waste valorization route for cement-free construction materials with exceptional chemical durability.