Uncovering the potential of industrial waste: turning discarded resources into sustainable advanced materials

Abstract

To identify solutions for utilizing industrial wastes (slag, sludge, fly ash, and bottom ash) in the development of pro-environmental systems, this paper reviews existing literature and explores material characterization methods. A review analysis was conducted to uncover their potential, and it was found that many utilizations can be made to recycle them into sustainable materials. Structure characterization, optical-dielectric function, and morphology analysis were analyzed to confirm the recent review. Structural properties are represented by crystallite size and crystallinity, where nickel slag shows the smallest distribution (55 ± 10) nm with the highest crystallinity (25.42%), indicating its association with uniformity of response to external disturbances and micro-structural stability. From the analysis of optical and dielectric functions via Kramers Kronig relation, the widening of ∆(LO−TO) was shown by fly ash and slag indicating stable bonding suitable as x-ray shielding and sensor, while high electron loss functions were shown by sludge and bottom ash indicating high potential electronic transition performance. Based on their chemical and physical properties, these industrial wastes are not limited as construction materials and can even be upgraded to more advanced development materials.