Synthesis of layered double hydroxides from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash for heavy metal adsorption

The process of urbanization has resulted in a continuous growth of the production of municipal solid waste, consequently leading to the increase of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) over time. This has prompted the need for effective disposal and value-added utilization strategies for MSWI FA. In this study, a hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize CaAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using MSWI FA as the raw material. The main objective was to investigate how different synthesis parameters affect the crystallinity of the layered bimetallic hydroxides. Subsequently, the synthesized LDHs were characterized using various techniques such as BET, SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. The results revealed the presence of calcium and aluminum cations in the interlayer region of the synthesized material, with chloride ions, sulfate ions, and acetate ions being the predominant anions. Moreover, the formation of LDHs presents an effective approach for the self-purification of leachates derived from MSWI FA. The LDHs exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Cd2+ and Cu2+ in wastewater, with maximum values of 730 mg·g−1 and 446 mg·g−1, respectively. The adsorption mechanisms involved isomorphous substitution, complexation, as well as the precipitation of hydroxides or interlayer anions. This method presents a novel approach for effectively utilizing MSWI FA to produce environmentally friendly value-added adsorbents. [Display omitted] •LDHs were successfully synthesized employing MSWI FA as a precursor.•MSWI FA derived LDHs exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Cd2+ and Cu2+ in wastewater.•The LDHs synthesis and heavy metal adsorption process are environmentally friendly.•Adsorption mechanisms of heavy metals by LDHs were isomorphic substitution, surface complexation, and precipitation.