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In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Publication history
Received August 5, 2025
Revised October 31, 2025
Accepted November 18, 2025
Available online March 25, 2026
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Preparation of Self-grow Bimetallic Catalysts by Recovering Cu (II) and Mn (III) using Fly Ash-based Geopolymer Microspheres

Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering , Ministry of Education & Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xinjiang University 1State Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Utilization of Carbon Based Energy Resources 2College of Light Chemical Industry and Materials Engineering , Shunde Polytechnic University
xjzmq@163.com, egglyn@163.com
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, March 2026, 43(4), 1113-1128(16)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-025-00610-1

Abstract

 In response to the high effi ciency and economic degradation requirements of typical VOC pollutants benzene, this study 

synthesized a new type of rice husk-fl y ash-based geopolymer microsphere (RFG) as an adsorbent through suspension 

solidifi cation method, which was used to recover and enrich Cu(II) and Mn(III) from wastewater. The supported bimetallic 

oxide catalyst CuMnO x /RFG was successfully prepared by oxygen calcination of adsorption products. CuMn 0.6 O x /RFG 

has a mesoporous structure and uniform distribution of Cu-Mn. At a mass space velocity of 4000 ml/(g · h), the benzene 

conversion rate is as high as 99.7% and the T 90 is as low as 273℃. Even after 5 cycles and high humidity environment, 

its benzene conversion rate remains above 93%. The catalytic eff ect on benzene is improved by about 30%, and the 

required energy barrier is reduced by 15.4%, demonstrating effi cient low-temperature catalytic oxidation ability and good 

stability. Its excellent low-temperature performance is attributed to: (1) Mesoporous carriers possess mechanical properties,

sintering resistance, and water resistance. High specifi c surface area ensures high dispersion of active components, 

promotes benzene adsorption and exposure of active centers; (2) Cu-Mn synergistically reduces component particle size 

and crystallinity, increases Mn 3+ /Mn +

 ratio and oxygen vacancy density, and accelerates lattice oxygen activation and 

migration. The entire preparation and application process integrates solid waste utilization-heavy metal adsorption-VOCs 

catalysis, achieving high value-added utilization of fl y ash and providing an eff ective way to synthesize effi cient, low-cost, 

halogen-free, and environmentally friendly supported catalysts. 

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