Immobilization of nickel ions by the confinement of surface aluminate spinel at low temperature.

The accumulation of heavy metal on catalysts during petrochemical process produces deactivated catalysts that cannot be directly disposed in nature, due to the high toxicity. The elimination of the detrimental effect of heavy metal ions can be achieved by immobilizing these ions in the form of spinel structure, yet this requires high-temperature calcination. Herein, Ni2+ ions are stabilized and confined within the surface NiAl 2 O 4 on Al 2 O 3 through hydrothermal process and subsequent low-temperature thermal treatment. The formation of nickel aluminum layered double hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) as intermediate favors the generation of surface aluminate spinel at the temperature as low as 450 ​°C. The formation of surface spinel is beneficial to restricting the mobility of Ni2+ ions. The growth and immobilization mechanisms of the surface spinel structure were proposed, which contributes to alternative and promising route for the low-temperature approach of the retention of the heavy metal ions mobility. Heavy metal Ni2+ ions are stabilized and confined within the surface NiAl 2 O 4 on Al 2 O 3 through hydrothermal process and subsequent low-temperature thermal treatment. [Display omitted] • The stabilization of Ni2+ ions is achieved by the surface NiAl 2 O 4 on Al 2 O 3. • NiAl-LDH facilities the presence of surface NiAl 2 O 4 at 450 ​°C. • The process of low-temperature nickel stabilization is discussed. • The surface amount of NiAl 2 O 4 reaches equilibrium above 450 ​°C. • The confined sample exhibited superior immobilization behavior of Ni2+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]