Immobilization Approach as a Creative Strategy to Remove Reactive Dye Red 195 and Cu(2+) Ions from Wastewater Using Environmentally Benign Geopolymer Cement

Water is a resource that is essential to almost all phases of industrial and manufacturing operations globally. It is important to handle the wastewater generated professionally. The textile industry is one of the major global polluters, with textile producers responsible for one-fifth of all industrial water pollution worldwide. In contrast, heavy metal contamination has developed into a critical, expanding global environmental problem. Geopolymer is a cementitious constituent of amorphous aluminosilicates derived from natural or industrial wastes. It is produced using the polymerization of aluminosilicate raw ingredients in an alkaline atmosphere. The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of eco-friendly geopolymer cement in the immobilization technique for the treatment of wastewater including heavy metals and dyes. Geopolymer cement pastes were organized using slag and fly ash as an aluminosilicate source, (1:1) sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide 15 wt.% as an alkali activator in the presence of organic dye pollutant reactive red 195, and Cu(2+) ions (700 ppm) at different hydration times for up to 28 days. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the prepared geopolymer cement mixes were further examined in relation to reactive dye pollutant and Cu(2+) ions. The hydration characteristic was examined using the compressive strength and % of total porosity tests, as well as FTIR and XRD studies. Our findings support the 100% immobilization of both Cu(2+) ions and organic dye pollutants in prepared geopolymer pastes for up to 28 days of hydration. Additionally, adding both Cu(2+) ions and dye pollutants to the prepared geopolymer paste improves its mechanical properties, which is also supported by FTIR data. XRD and FTIR studies showed that the Cu(2+) ions and dying bath effluent addition have no influence on the kind of hydration products that are produced. On the other hand, the geopolymerization process is negatively impacted by the presence of Cu(2+) ions alone in the geopolymer paste.