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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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1
Research Laboratory "Industrial Biotechnology", M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Tauke Khan Avenue 5, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
 
2
Department of «Architecture and design», Kuatbekov University of Friendship of Peoples, Tole bi Street, 32a, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
 
3
Department of «Chemistry and biology», Kuatbekov University of Friendship of Peoples, Tole bi Street, 32a, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
 
4
"SOIL ECO BIOTECHNOLOGY" China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory (SEBT Joint Lab), Tashkent Institute of Chemical Technology, Navoi Street 32, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
 
5
Science Department, Kuatbekov University of Friendship of Peoples, Tole bi Street, 32a, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
 
6
Department of Life safety and environmental protection, M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
 
These authors had equal contribution to this work
 
 
Corresponding author
Zhakylyk Makhatov   

Department of Life safety and environmental protection, M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
 
 
 
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ABSTRACT
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.
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