The Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Novel Ternary Composited Diatomaceous Earth

Xianfeng large-scale lignite mining area, symbiotic diatomaceous earth mining area is the second largest diatomaceous earth mining in China with high organic matter content. The Xianfeng diatomaceous earth mining is a difficult development and utilization of low-grade diatomaceous earth, which has not been effective utilized due to low economic value of traditional processes. The objectives of this paper are utilizing high organic matter content diatomite as waste resources and improving the comprehensive utilization ratio of mineral resources in Xianfeng coal mining areas. The high organic content diatomaceous earth was purified by the acid washing and then calcinations under N2 as a protective atmosphere and high temperature of 500 to 800 ℃. The organic matter was carbonized with the formation of amorphous complex of activated carbon and diatomaceous earth. The novel ternary composited diatomaceous earth was prepared by combining carbonation diatomaceous earth and magnetic nanomaterials. The absorption property of ternary composited diatomaceous earth was improved through the organosilane and polyacrylamide modification to meet the needs of practical application. Electron microscopy showed that magnetic precursor calcined under N2 as a protective atmosphere, the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles were coated with amorphous carbon, which improved chemical stability and compatibility with diatomaceous earth. The magnetic nanoparticles and amorphous activated carbon uniformly dispersed in a diatomaceous earth surface and within the pores, to form a stable magnetic nanoparticles - the amorphous active carbon - ternary complexes. The specific surface area and methylene blue adsorption test showed ternary composited diatomaceous earth performing much higher than conventional diatomite products, the novel diatomaceous earth with specific surface area of 55.79 m2/g, methylene blue adsorption capacity of 44.5 m2/g. MgFe2O4 and Co3O4-based superparamagnetic ternary composited diatomaceous earth as an unique adsorbent has great application potential in organic pollutants and heavy metals pollution treatment of water. In addition, the CoFe2O4 based soft magnetic ternary composited diatomaceous earth has potential applications in magnetic plastics, rubber functional filler fields. This study shows that the proposed technology is conducive to a substantial increasing economic value of the Xianfeng diatomaceous earth mining, has a broad industrial application prospects.