Tobermorites were synthesized from the lime-quartz slurries with incorporations of aluminum and sucrose under hydrothermal conditions, and then used for adsorption of Cr(VI). The chemical components, and structural and morphological properties of tobermorite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements. The formation and crystallinity of tobermorite could be largely enhanced by adding 2.3 wt.% aluminum hydroxide or 13.3 wt.% sucrose. Sucrose also played a significantly positive role in increasing the surface area. The adsorption performances for Cr(VI) were tested using a batch method taking into account the effects of pH, the adsorption kinetics, and the adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacities of the aluminum- and sucrose-incorporated tobermorites reached up to 31.65 mg/g and 28.92 mg/g, respectively. Thus, the synthesized tobermorites showed good adsorption properties for removal of Cr(VI), making this material a promising candidate for efficient bulk wastewater treatment.

This study investigated the strength and toughness of reactive powder concrete (RPC) made with various steel fiber lengths and concrete strengths. The results indicated that among RPC samples with strength of 150 MPa, RPC reinforced with long steel fibers had the highest compressive strength, peak strength, and toughness. Among the RPC samples with strength of 270 MPa, RPC reinforced with short steel fibers had the highest compressive strength, and peak strength, while RPC reinforced with medium-length steel fibers had the highest toughness. As a result of the higher bond adhesion between fibers and ultra-high-strength RPC matrix, long steel fibers were more effective for the reinforcement of RPC with strength of 150 MPa, while short steel fibers were more effective for the reinforcement of RPC with strength of 270 MPa.

Methods and materials that effectively remove heavy metals, such as lead and copper, from wastewater are urgently needed. In this study, steel slag, a low-cost byproduct of steel manufacturing, was utilized as a substrate material for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to produce a new kind of efficient and low-cost absorbent without any pretreatment. The synthesis parameters of the developed CNT–steel slag composite (SS@CNTs) were optimized, and its adsorption capacities for Pb(II) and Cu(II) were evaluated. The results showed that the optimal growth time, synthesis temperature and acetylene flow rate were 45 min, 600 °C and 200 sccm (standard cubic centimeter per minute), respectively. The SS@CNTs composite had a high adsorption capacity with a maximum removal amount of 427.26 mg·g⁻¹ for Pb(II) and 132.79 mg·g⁻¹ for Cu(II). The adsorption proceeded rapidly during the first 15 min of adsorption and reached equilibrium at approximately 90 min. The adsorption processes were in accordance with the isotherms of the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model, while the adsorption thermodynamics results indicated that the removal for both metals was an endothermic and spontaneous process. This study showed that compared with other adsorbent materials, the SS@CNTs composite is an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for heavy metals such as lead and copper.