Synthesis of MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves based on recycled glass fibers from waste fan blades

Abstract

The development of clean energy leads to a significant increase in decommissioned wind turbine blades, which have become a new type of solid waste. Glass fiber, which is the main component of these blades, can be recycled through pyrolysis. However, the deficiencies in size and mechanical properties of recycled glass fibers preclude their further high-value utilization. This paper presents an innovative approach to the high-value utilization of recycled glass fibers as Si and Al sources for the synthesis of Si–Al MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves by the alkali fusion–hydrothermal method. The influences of the templating agent ratio, water ratio, pH, hydrothermal temperature, and hydrothermal time on the synthesis of molecular sieves during the hydrothermal synthesis process were investigated. The results show that the MCM-41 molecular sieve synthesized under optimal conditions exhibited a uniform mesoporous structure, with a specific surface area of 831 m² g⁻¹ and a uniform distribution of Si and Al elements. Additionally, it exhibits an adsorption capacity of 223 mg g⁻¹ for alkaline pollutant rhodamine B. This research provides a viable path for the high-value utilization of recycled glass fibers and establishes a novel synthesis approach for MCM-41 with excellent adsorption performance.