Preparation of Shell-Core Structured Ceramsite from Red Mud and Electrolytic Aluminum Repair Slag to Enhance the Thermal Insulation Performance of Cement Mortar
摘要
The extensive accumulation of solid waste represented by red mud (RM) presents critical environmental threats, while its valorization in high-value material applications remains underexplored. In order to reduce the risks associated with the utilization of solid waste while enhancing the high-value recycling of RM in the field of building materials, this study fabricates core-shell structured ceramsite (C-SRB) via synergistic use of three wastes: RM, spent refractories materials (SRM), and spent cathode carbon blocks (SCCB). Innovatively, SCCB served as an in-situ pore-forming agent, while SRM-bentonite composites formed a dense shell, establishing a core-shell structure that synergistically enhances thermal insulation (porous core) and environmental safety (protective shell). Unlike conventional solid waste-based ceramsites with single-function characteristics, the core-shell structured ceramsite (C-SRB) proposed in this study achieves simultaneous detoxification of red mud and performance enhancement in building materials through its “dense shell-porous core” heterogeneous design. Under the condition of water as extractor, the Cr/Pb leaching amount inhibited by C-SRB during the 24 h leaching cycle was more than 99% compared with traditional ceramsite. When replacing 5–10% of sand with C-SRB, thermal conductivity decreased by 22.1–29.4% without compromising 28-day strength (< 5% replacement). The design of core-shell structure opens a new way for the harmless and resource utilization of solid waste in the field of building materials.