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In this work, gangue/palygorskite composite microspheres were fabricated through spray drying process and activated by calcination treatment. Its microstructure and adsorption capacity for the removal of dye (MB) were also studied, systematically. Results showed that kaolinite, α‐quartz and palygorskite were the major phases in microspheres after proper calcination (lower than 900°C). BET‐specific surface area of the microspheres reached the maximum value of 62.23 m2/g at 700°C, and then decreased with further increasing the heating temperature. In general, composite microspheres showed the largest adsorption capacity of MB after heat‐treated at 700°C. The qmax of MB onto microspheres was 29.9‐51.9 mg/g. The adsorption process of MB onto microspheres was well described by both the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. The composite microspheres also had extraordinary recyclability. This novel microsphere could be employed as a candidate for novel absorbent and filter medium in the practical application for dye treatment in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the advantage of single-shell hollow microspheres on forming pores has been exploited to acquire porous ceramics with homogeneous microstructure, while the hollow microspheres also acted as reaction source. Dispersant reaction method has been applied to realize the perfect combination between microspheres and Si3N4 particles, which could be attributed to the repulsion between particles is weakened, particles agglomerate together and holding microspheres among them tightly. Owing to the normal distribution of hollow spheres and their single-shell structure, porous Si2N2O-Si3N4 ceramics with uniform pore distribution have been fabricated. The results show that the addition of silica hollow spheres contributes to the decrease in dielectric constant, since their porosity could be increased effectively and Si2N2O phase exhibiting low dielectric constant is generated. High-performance porous Si3N4 ceramics with porosity of 45.7% have been prepared through employing fly ash hollow microspheres, which possess flexural strength of 108.76 ± 6.25 MPa, fracture toughness of 1.78 ± 0.09 MPa m1/2 and dielectric constant of 3.53. This strategy is proved to be a convenient, eco-friendly and effective method to synthesize ideal candidates for radomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel kind of nanowire sponges, namely Si3N4 nanowire‐weaving microspheres, synthesized from a simple, convenient, high‐efficient approach are proposed here. As the reverse template, three‐dimensional foam skeleton structure with uniform pores and ultrathin pore walls is constructed via the effective particle‐stabilized foam method, where the silica sol and carbon black are chosen as the raw materials, providing the sufficient space for the growth of nanowires during the carbothermal reduction reaction process. The formation mechanism of this novel sponge is studied via multiple characterization methods. Si3N4 nanowires formed microspheres possess uniform and curving morphology due to the stable environment for growing via vapor–solid mechanism, leading to the relatively high specific surface area of 86.77 m2/g. Owing to in‐situ oxidation process, micro‐spherical SiO2 nanowire sponges with similar morphology are synthesized, which present diameter in range of 20‐40 nm and specific surface area of 50.47 m2/g. This work provides insights for the design of high‐performance nanowire sponges with promising applications in the filtration, thermal insulators, and catalyst supports fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]