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Sustainable and eco-efficient microwave-assisted upcycling of dual waste into MIL-53(Al) metal–organic framework for enhanced CO2 capture
Original title: Sustainable and eco-efficient microwave-assisted upcycling of dual waste into MIL-53(Al) metal–organic framework for enhanced CO2 capture
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Scientists found a clever way to turn two types of waste—toxic leftover metal from aluminum production and plastic from PET bottles—into a sponge-like material that can trap carbon dioxide from the air, using a quick microwave process instead of harsh chemicals. This matters because it tackles two pollution problems at once: keeping hazardous industrial waste and plastic out of landfills while also creating a tool to help fight climate change, which is increasingly linked to health issues like heat stress and air quality problems. While this doesn't directly address microplastics in our bodies, it points to promising ways plastic waste can be repurposed for
Grey aluminum dross is a hazardous industrial byproduct whose limited utilization poses environmental and disposal challenges. In this study, aluminum leachate extracted from grey aluminum dross and benzene dicarboxylic acid (BDC) recovered from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste were used to synthesize MIL-53(Al) via a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis within one hour. Comprehensive characterizations confirmed that the resulting MOF exhibits well-defined crystallinity and microporous features comparable to those of pristine MIL-53(Al) synthesized from commercial precursors. Structural and textural analyses revealed that the waste-derived MIL-53(Al) retains a highly porous framework, with a specific surface area of 827 m² g⁻¹ and a CO₂ adsorption capacity of 1.39 mmol g⁻¹, despite the use of high impurity dross as precursor. This study demonstrates a viable strategy for mitigating hazardous aluminum dross while upcycling industrial and plastic wastes into value-added porous materials, supporting sustainable resource recovery, pollution prevention, and climate change mitigation.
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