Non-supercritical drying synthesis and characterization of monolithic alumina aerogel from secondary aluminum dross

In the present study, the pure and monolithic alumina aerogel is synthesized from secondary aluminum dross as a common waste of the aluminum smelting industry. The process includes the extraction of aluminum content of the waste as sodium aluminate liquor through a multi-stage hydrometallurgical treatment, gelation, removal of the salt by-product by washing, three-stage solvent exchange, aging, non-supercritical drying, and calcination. No …