RESUMEN
In this work, we studied the phases in a Mg-Ti-O system using a 1:1 formulation of MgO:TiO2, mixing synthetic brucite of Mexican origin with TiO2 microparticles of high purity, with a heat treatment at 1100 °C for 1 h. Due to its valence electrons, TiO2 can contribute to the sintering process to improve density in MgO products. The raw materials and formulation by XPS and X-RD techniques were characterized. The results demonstrate the presence of different oxidation states in titania and the formation of different oxides in the Mg-Ti-O system when mixed and calcined at 1100 °C; additionally, we estimated the formation of vacancies in the crystal lattice during the transformation from hexagonal brucite to magnesia with a cubic structure centered on the faces. Its thermal behavior is indicated by the MgO-TiO2 phase diagram.
RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to find an alternative application for chrysotile asbestos, given that there is a complete structure of extraction and production of this class of serpentine minerals, but its use is banned for many applications. The idea was to obtain a compound that could immobilize phosphate by triggering a reaction between the magnesium oxide and hydroxide contained in the mineral, without causing phosphate leaching. To this end, chrysotile (Mg3SiO5(OH)4) was treated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) in a molar ratio of 1:3 in an aqueous medium at 85 °C until the solvent evaporated, resulting in two different solid compounds, which were prepared in a similar manner. The first compound (cri/H3PO4 1:3)1, was obtained by rinsing and then heat-treating it at 150 °C for 6 h, while the second one, (cri/H3PO4 1:3)2, was rinsed after the heat treatment. Compound (cri/H3PO4 1:3)1 underwent partial leaching, while compound (cri/H3PO4 1:3)2 showed a mass increase of 48%, with the formation of crystalline magnesium pyrophosphate mixed with amorphous SiO2. The latter compound adsorbed N-NH3 at pH 10, following the pseudo-first-order model (activation energy = 8329 ± 1696 J mol-1). Equilibrium experiments, which were performed following Hill's sigmoidal type S2 isotherm model, indicated that the adsorption phenomenon was governed by two processes, i.e., complexation up to the inflection point (KH between 10.0 mg L-1 at 40 °C and 13.6 mg L-1 at 25 °C) followed by adsorption. The qmax varied from 18.0 to 19.6 mgN g-1 and the adsorbent was reusable, maintaining its initial adsorbent capacity during its first reuse. This material, which was tested on real effluents, presented a N-NH3 removal rate similar to that shown by the test solutions. The treatment of chrysotile with H3PO4 conducts it to a composite that adsorbs ammoniacal nitrogen at pH 10 and it is reusable maintaining the adsorption capacity.
RESUMEN
Recently, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted much consideration due to their versatility and easily manipulating properties and their potential applications such as anion exchangers, support of catalysts, flame retardants, biomedical drug delivery. A novel method for the in-situ preparation in situ of LDHs, using electrocoagulation (EC) processes was developed, the EC process was performed under two different conditions, at 5 mA m-2, changing polarity of the electrodes to find out the composition that leads to LDHs generation. The final product was characterized using XRD, BET and FTIR techniques. This method presented the following advantages: (1) Simultaneously LDHs synthesis and wastewater treatment by ion removal; (2) Polarity control allows to manipulate the M2+/M3+ molar ratio, LDHs properties and its potential applications; (3) The method spent less time to carry out the synthesis and; (4) it did not need complicated solid-liquid separation processes.