The effect of selective adsorption of dissolved aegirite species on the separation of specularite and aegirite

The separation of specularite from aegirite is challenging due to the similar floatability. Surface dissolution of minerals often occurs and affects their physicochemical properties. In order to investigate the effect of dissolved aegirite species on the separation of specularite and aegirite, the separation performance of these two minerals was explored through surface pretreatment before froth flotation. The adsorption mechanism was investigated via Zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Single mineral flotation experiments indicated that acidified pretreatment significantly reduced the floatability of aegirite (from 78.4% to 15.1%) and specularite (from 88.7% to 38.4%) at pH 10 with 6 × 10^-5 mol/L dodecylamine. The alkalified pretreatment only affected the flotation of aegirite (from 78.4% to 16.3%) at pH 10, while specularite maintained its floatability (85.4%). Mixed mineral flotation results confirmed that specularite was depressed while aegirite recovered its floatability with alkalified pretreatment. Zeta potential measurements and SEM analyses indicated that surface element dissolution occurred on the pretreated mineral surface, which increased the positive electrical property of minerals and weakened the adsorption of the dodecylamine. XPS results further revealed that the Si and Fe dissolved from the alkalified aegirite surface formed SiO₃^2-, Fe(OH)₃, and FeOOH at the specularite surface, which depressed the flotation of specularite.     

The utilization of tamarind seed gum as a novel dolomite depressant in the selective flotation of apatite from dolomite

In this study, the separation of apatite from dolomite was first investigated by using tamarind seed gum (TSG) to depress the flotation of dolomite in sodium oleate (NaOL) collector system. The effects of pH and flotation reagents concentration were studied, and the results indicated that TSG could strongly depress the dolomite floatability rather than apatite floatability. A satisfactory separation effect was realized when pH was 9.0, TSG dosage was 10 mg/L and NaOL dosage was 40 mg/L, at which the recovery of single apatite and dolomite was 80.28 % and 3.46 % respectively, and the grade of P₂O₅ and the recovery of P₂O₅ of the concentrate was 35.86 % and 76 % respectively in mixed ore flotation experiments. To reveal the adsorption mechanism, the flotation reagents adsorption morphology, adsorption type, and adsorption site were analyzed through AFM images, zeta potential measurements, FT-IR spectra, and XPS spectra, respectively. It was found that TSG was adsorbed on apatite by hydrogen bond while adsorbed on dolomite by chemical bond. Hydrogen bond was weaker than chemical bond, thus NaOL could still express the strong adsorption on apatite surface when TSG was used as depressant, while TSG could impede NaOL to be adsorbed on dolomite. Therefore, TSG selectively restrained the flotation of dolomite, achieving the separation. Furthermore, the XPS results uncovered that the Ca and Mg of dolomite were the main active sites that react with TSG.     

Evaluating the adsorption mechanism of a novel thiocarbamate on chalcopyrite and pyrite particles

The selective adsorption of surfactants on minerals can strengthen the differences of physical and chemical properties of mineral surfaces, thereby improving the separation efficiency of the refractory minerals. Herein, a novel surfactant S-carboxyethyl-N-benzoyl thiocarbamate (CEBTB) was prepared and utilized as a collector to selective separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite. The adsorption performances and mechanism of CEBTB on chalcopyrite and pyrite surface were studied. It showed that the functional groups (CO, CS and –COOH) of CEBTB could selectively anchor on the chalcopyrite surface and increase its surface hydrophobicity, whereas the adsorption of CEBTB on pyrite surface was weak with the surface hydrophobicity improved insignificantly. Flotation experimental indicated that CEBTB exhibited superior flotation selectivity for chalcopyrite against pyrite than the common collector of SIBX. Batch adsorption experimental results demonstrated that the adsorption of CEBTB onto chalcopyrite surface was performed by a monolayer chemisorption, as well as the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous.     

The depression behavior and mechanism of tragacanth gum on chalcopyrite during Cu-Mo flotation separation

In this work, tragacanth gum (TG), a nontoxic and environmental friendly organic polymer, was used to replace the traditional inorganic depressants of chalcopyrite during the flotation separation of copper-molybdenum sulfides. The single mineral flotation and artificial mixed minerals flotation experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of TG on flotation separation behaviour of molybdenite and chalcopyrite. The TG’s adsorption mechanism on molybdenite and chalcopyrite was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The flotation experiment results showed that at pH 3–8, TG had a significant selective depressive effect on chalcopyrite flotation and it was enhanced with increasing TG concentration, but hardly affected the molybdenite flotation. XPS analysis showed that TG was chemically adsorbed on both molybdenite and chalcopyrite surfaces and ToF-SIMS results demonstrated that the interaction of TG and chalcopyrite was stronger than that of TG and molybdenite. Further, XPS narrow scanning analysis suggested that TG might chemisorb onto chalcopyrite via chemical bond between the carboxyl groups and Fe sites on bulk chalcopyrite surface as well as the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl groups and surface Fe oxides/hydroxides. The strong TG adsorption on chalcopyrite hindered the subsequent adsorption of PBX on chalcopyrite surface, thus chalcopyrite was significantly depressed and Cu-Mo flotation separation was achieved.     

Studies on the electrochemical preparation of MgCeCo alloy thin films on Cu substrates in urea–DMSO system

Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical behaviors of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) in 3.00 mol L^− 1 urea–DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). The electrode processes of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) reducing on Pt electrodes were irreversible steps. The transfer coefficient of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) in 3.00 mol L^− 1 urea–DMSO system was calculated as 0.07, 0.05 and 0.05 at 298.15 K, respectively. The diffusion coefficient of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) in 3.00 mol L^− 1 urea–DMSO system was calculated as 2.27 × 10^− 10, 1.77 × 10^− 10 and 3.16 × 10^− 10 m² s^− 1 at 298.15 K, respectively. The MgCeCo alloy thin films with smooth, uniform and metallic luster were obtained on Cu substrates by cyclic electrodeposition in 0.01 mol L^− 1 Mg(ClO₄)₂–0.01 mol·L^− 1 Ce(CH₃SO₃)₃₋0.01 mol L^− 1 CoCl₂–3.00 mol L^− 1 urea–DMSO system. The potential sweep rate was found to be important with respect to the adhesion of the thin films.     

High-Voltage Supercapacitive Swing Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide

Supercapacitive swing adsorption (SSA) with garlic roots-derived activated carbon achieves a record adsorption capacity of 312 mmol kg⁻¹ at a low energy consumption of 72 kJ mol⁻¹ and high mass loadings (>30 mg cm⁻²) at 1.0 V for 85%N₂/15%CO₂ mixtures. The activated carbons are inexpensively prepared in a one-step process using potassium carbonate, and air as activators. The adsorption capacity further increases with increasing voltage. At a voltage of 1.4 V, a sorption capacity of 524 mmol kg⁻¹ at an energy consumption of 130 kJ mol⁻¹ can be achieved. The volumetric sorption capacity is also enhanced and reaches values of 85.7 mol m⁻³ at 1.0 V, and 126 mol m⁻³ at 1.4 V. Cycle stability for at least 130 h is demonstrated.     

A novel iron (III)-PVC membrane potentiomeric sensor based on N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N',N"-triacetic acid

This work introduces a unique ionophore for the selective determination of Fe(III) ions. This ionophore was N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N″-triacetic acid (NTA), presenting a high affinity towards the trivalent iron cations. The designed sensor exhibited a wide linear response with a slope of 19.5 ± 0.4 mV per decade over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^− 9–1.0 × 10^− 2 mol L^− 1, while the illustrated detection limit was 3.0 × 10^− 10 mol L^− 1 of the Fe(III) ions concentration. It was concluded that the sensor response was pH independent in the range of 1.8–4.5. The sensor possessed the advantages of short conditioning time, fast response time (10 s) and, especially, good selectivity towards the transition and heavy metal ions as well as some mono, di and trivalent cations. Concerning the electrode lifetime, no considerable potential divergence was noticed for at least 10 weeks. The sensor accuracy was investigated in the potentiometric titration of a Fe(III) solution with EDTA.     

Defective graphene as a high-efficiency Raman enhancement substrate

Pristine graphene (PG) has been demonstrated to be an excellent substrate for Raman enhancement, which is called graphene-enhanced Raman scattering. However, the chemically inert and hydrophobic surface of PG hinders the adsorption of molecules especially in aqueous solutions, and consequently limits the Raman enhanced efficiency. Here, we synthesized defective graphene (DG) films by chemical vapor deposition on Au, which has a defect density of ∼2.0 × 10¹¹ cm⁻². The DG shows a much better wettability than PG towards dye solution. Combining with the strong adsorption ability of defects to molecules, DG shows greatly enhanced efficiency than PG with perfect lattice. For example, the detection limit for rhodamine B can reach 2 × 10⁻⁹ M for DG while it is on the order of 10⁻⁷ M for PG. In addition, DG has high enhancement uniformity and the Au substrate can be reused after electrochemical bubbling transfer. These advantages suggest the great potential of the DG grown on Au for practical applications in environmental monitoring.     

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on microstructural and optical properties of titanium oxide thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Nanocrystalline titanium oxide (TiO₂) thin films were deposited on silicon (1 0 0) and quartz substrates at various oxygen partial pressures (1 × 10⁻⁵ to 3.5 × 10⁻¹ mbar) with a substrate temperature of 973 K by pulsed laser deposition. The microstructural and optical properties were characterized using Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The X-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of mixed phases (anatase and rutile) at higher oxygen partial pressures (3.5 × 10⁻² to 3.5 × 10⁻¹ mbar) and strong rutile phase at lower oxygen partial pressures (1 × 10⁻⁵ to 3.5 × 10⁻³ mbar). The atomic force microscopy studies showed the dense and uniform distribution of nanocrystallites. The root mean square surface roughness of the films increased with increasing oxygen partial pressures. The UV–visible studies showed that the bandgap of the films increased from 3.20 eV to 3.60 eV with the increase of oxygen partial pressures. The refractive index was found to decrease from 2.73 to 2.06 (at 550 nm) as the oxygen partial pressure increased from 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ mbar to 3.5 × 10⁻¹ mbar. The photoluminescence peaks were fitted to Gaussian function and the bandgap was found to be in the range ∼3.28–3.40 eV for anatase and 2.98–3.13 eV for rutile phases with increasing oxygen partial pressure from 1 × 10⁻⁵ to 3.5 × 10⁻¹ mbar.     

Modifying the morphology and structure of graphene oxide provides high-performance LiFePO4/C/rGO composite cathode materials

In this study we synthesized LiFePO₄/carbon/reduced graphene oxide (LFP/C/rGO) composite cathode materials using a method involving sol–gel processing, spray-drying, and calcination. To improve the electrochemical performance of LFP/C, we tested graphene oxides (GOs) of various morphologies as conductive additives, including pristine GO, three-dimensional GO, and hydrothermal porous GO (HTGO). Among our samples, the cathode material prepared through spray-drying with the addition of 1 wt% of HTGO (denoted SP-LFP/C/1%rHTGO) displayed the best electrochemical performance; its discharge capacities at 0.1C, 1C, 5C, and 10C were 160.5, 151.8, 138.8, and 130.3 mA h g⁻¹, respectively. From measurements of its long-term cycling performance, the discharge capacity in the first cycle and the capacity retention after 30 cycles at 0.1C were 160.2 mA h g⁻¹ and 99.6%, respectively; at 10C, these values were 132.2 mA h g⁻¹ and 91.8%, respectively. The electronic conductivity of SP-LFP/C/1%rHTGO (6.58 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹) was higher than that of the pristine LFP/C (9.24 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹). The Li⁺ ion diffusivities (D_Li⁺) of the SP-LFP/C/1%HTGO cathode, measured using AC impedance (3.91 × 10⁻¹³ cm² s⁻¹) and cyclic voltammetry (6.66 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹ for discharge), were superior to those of the LFP/C cathode (9.31 × 10⁻¹⁵ cm² s⁻¹ and 1.79 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹ for discharge, respectively). Galvanostatic intermittent titration revealed that the value of D_Li⁺ was located in a reasonable range from 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 1 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm² s⁻¹; its value dropped to its lowest point when the state of charge was close to 50%. Thus, the use of spray-drying and the addition of conductive HTGO (having a 3D wrinkled morphology and interconnected pore structure) can enhance the electronic conductivity and Li⁺ ion diffusivity of LFP/C cathode materials, thereby improving the electrochemical performance significantly.     

Amphiphilically Modified Porous Polymeric Nanosandwich-Based Membranes for Rapid and Efficient Water Treatment

Low removal efficiency, long treatment time, and high energy consumption hinder advanced and eco-friendly use of traditional adsorbents and separation membranes. Here, a class of amphiphilically modified 2D porous polymeric nanosandwich is designed and is subsequently assembled into adsorptive membranes. The 2D nanosandwich is gifted with high porosity and excellent pore accessibility, demonstrating rapid adsorption kinetics. The as-assembled membrane integrates unimpeded interlayer channels and well-developed, amphiphilic, and highly accessible intralayer nanopores, leading to ultrafast water permeation (1.2 × 10⁴ L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹), high removal efficiency, and easy regeneration. The family of the membrane can be expanded by changing amphiphilic functional groups, further providing treatment of a wide-spectrum of pollutants, including aromatic compounds, pesticide, and pharmaceuticals. It is believed that the novel amphiphilically modified adsorptive membrane offers a distinct water treatment strategy with ultrahigh water permeation and efficient pollutants removal performances, and provides a multiple-in-one solution to the detection and elimination of pollutants.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) on 1,2-ethylenediamine-aminated macroporous polystyrene particles

An adsorbent, 1,2-ethylenediamine-aminated macroporous polystyrene (EDA-PSt) particles was used to adsorb Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Effect of pH value, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage and initial Cr(VI) concentration on adsorption amount of Cr(VI) on EDA-PSt were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption isotherm can be well described by the Langmuir equation and the adsorption kinetics fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. According to Langmuir equation, Q_m was calculated to be 175.75 mg g⁻¹. The breakthrough curve experiment showed that the dynamic adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) on EDA-PSt was 100.06 mg g⁻¹. The adsorbed Cr(VI) could be desorbed by 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH and the desorption ratio was 67.28%.     

The kinetics modeling of chalcopyrite and pyrite,and the contribution of particle size and sodium metabisulfite to the flotation of copper complex ores

In this study, a series of batch flotation experiments was conducted to evaluate both the role of particle size distribution and the presence of sodium metabisulfite Na₂S₂O₅ (SMBS) in chalcopyrite and pyrite flotation. Kinetic flotation tests were also carried out in order to evaluate the kinetics behavior of the above-mentioned minerals. Following this, different flotation kinetics models were compared to the data from the experiments. According to the obtained results, it can be stated that feed particle size distribution plays a greater role in chalcopyrite and pyrite grades rather than their recoveries. However, the contribution of SMBS is higher than that of particle size with respect to pyrite recovery. In this study, the maximum recoveries for chalcopyrite and pyrite were found to be 92.2% and 47.5%, respectively. The minimum pyrite recovery (13.47%) occurred in the presence of 40 g/t Xanthate-flomin (C-4132), 20 g/t methyl isobutyl carbonyl (MIBC), 20 g/t polypropylene glycol (F742), 200 g/t sodium metabisulfite (SMBS), and at a d ₇₀ of 70 µm. A comparison between several flotation kinetics models and the experimental data revealed that the perfect mixer and the Arbiter models showed completely similar results for both chalcopyrite and pyrite with respect to the use of different configuration of chemical reagents.     

Estimating the electrochemical reactivity of pyrite ores-their impact on pulp chemistry and chalcopyrite flotation behaviour

Prudent control of ore pulp chemistry via parameters such as redox potential (Eh), dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH, can markedly improve the flotation recovery, grade and selectivity of sulphide minerals. In this paper, the electrochemical reactivities of two pyrite minerals and their impact on chalcopyrite flotation are investigated using oxygen demand test and froth flotation. Changes in the surface chemistry/speciation are also investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and EDTA extraction technique. The oxygen demand test shows that the different pyrite ores display significantly different electrochemical reactivity. Furthermore, continuous aeration of the pulp reduces the reactivity of the pyrite ores. Solution and surface analysis results suggest the formation of hydroxide surface coatings on the pyrite surface as aeration progresses, preventing or minimising further oxidative reactions from taking place in the pulp. Flotation results showed that the flotation response of chalcopyrite is influenced by the pulp DO/Eh, and therefore the type and reactivity of the pyrite associated with it.     

Switchable Xe/Kr Selectivity in a Hofmann-Type Metal–Organic Framework via Temperature-Responsive Rotational Dynamics

The development of adsorbents for Kr and Xe separation is essential to meet industrial demands and for energy conservation. Although a number of previous studies have focused on Xe-selective adsorbents, stimuli-responsive Xe/Kr-selective adsorbents still remain underdeveloped. Herein, a Hofmann-type framework Co(DABCO)[Ni(CN)₄] (referred to as CoNi-DAB ; DABCO = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane) that provides a temperature-dependent switchable Xe/Kr separation performance is reported. CoNi-DAB showed high Kr/Xe (0.8/0.2) selectivity with significant Kr adsorption at 195 K as well as high Xe/Kr (0.2/0.8) selectivity with superior Xe adsorption at 298 K. Such adsorption features are associated with the temperature-dependent rotational configuration of the DABCO ligand, which affects the kinetic gate-opening temperature of Xe and Kr. The packing densities of Xe (2.886 g cm⁻³ at 298 K) and Kr (2.399 g  cm⁻³ at 195 K) inside the framework are remarkable and comparable with those of liquid Xe (3.057 g cm⁻³) and liquid Kr (2.413 g cm⁻³), respectively. Breakthrough experiments confirm the temperature-dependent reverse separation performance of CoNi-DAB at 298 K under dry and wet (88% relative humidity) conditions and at 195 K under dry conditions. The unique adsorption behavior is also verified through van der Waals (vdW)-corrected density functional theory (DFT) calculations and nudged elastic band (NEB) simulations.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based glucose biosensor prepared by a layer-by-layer technique

The loading of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and glucose oxidase (GOx) in the alternate layers of a glucose biosensor was first optimized based on a layer-by-layer construction on the surface of a graphite disk electrode. With the increasing of MWNTs/GOx layers, the response current to glucose was changed regularly and the response current reached a maximum value when the number of MWNTs/GOx layers was 6. Owing to a good electrical conductivity, strong adsorption and excellent bioconsistency of MWNTs, the (MWNTs/GOx)₆ films-coated glucose biosensor had an excellent electrochemical properties. The response current of the (MWNTs/GOx)₆ films-coated biosensor to 3 × 10^− 2 M glucose was 1.63 μA while the response time was only 6.7 s. The linear range and the lowest detectable concentration of this biosensor was 5 × 10^− 4∼1.5 × 10^− 2 M and 0.9 × 10^− 4 M, respectively.     

Strain rate dependent plastic mutation in a bulk metallic glass under compression

This paper reported a strain rate dependent plasticity in a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) under axial compression over a strain rate range (1.6 × 10⁻⁵–1.6 × 10⁻¹ s⁻¹). The fracture strain decreased with increasing strain rate up to 1.6 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. A “brittle-to-malleable” mutation occurred at strain rate of 1.6 × 10⁻² s⁻¹, subsequently, the macro plasticity vanished at 1.6 × 10⁻¹ s⁻¹. It is proposed that the result is strongly related to the combined action of the applied strain rate, the compression speed, and the propagating speed of the shear band. When the three factors coordinated in the optimal condition, multiple mature shear bands were initiated simultaneously to accommodate the applied strain, which propagated through the specimen and distributed homogeneously in space, dominating the overall plastic deformation by consuming the entire specimen effectively.     

Development of an inconel self powered neutron detector for in-core reactor monitoring

The paper describes the development and testing of an Inconel600 (2 mm diameter×21 cm long) self-powered neutron detector for in-core neutron monitoring. The detector has 3.5 mm overall diameter and 22 cm length and is integrally coupled to a 12 m long mineral insulated cable. The performance of the detector was compared with cobalt and platinum detectors of similar dimensions. Gamma sensitivity measurements performed at the ⁶⁰Co irradiation facility in 14 MR/h gamma field showed values of −4.4×10⁻¹⁸ A/R/h/cm (−9.3×10⁻²⁴ A/γ/cm²-s/cm), −5.2×10⁻¹⁸ A/R/h/cm (−1.133×10⁻²³ A/γ/cm²-s/cm) and 34×10⁻¹⁸ A/R/h/cm (7.14×10⁻²³ A/γ/cm²-s/cm) for the Inconel, Co and Pt detectors, respectively. The detectors together with a miniature gamma ion chamber and fission chamber were tested in the in-core Apsara Swimming Pool type reactor. The ion chambers were used to estimate the neutron and gamma fields. With an effective neutron cross-section of 4b, the Inconel detector has a total sensitivity of 6×10⁻²³ A/nv/cm while the corresponding sensitivities for the platinum and cobalt detectors were 1.69×10⁻²² and 2.64×10⁻²² A/nv/cm. The linearity of the detector responses at power levels ranging from 100 to 200 kW was within ±5%. The response of the detectors to reactor scram showed that the prompt response of the Inconel detector was 0.95 while it was 0.7 and 0.95 for the platinum and cobalt self-powered detectors, respectively. The detector was also installed in the horizontal flux unit of 540 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). The neutron flux at the detector location was calculated by Triveni code. The detector response was measured from 0.02% to 0.07% of full power and showed good correlation between power level and detector signals. Long-term tests and the dynamic response of the detector to shut down in PHWR are in progress.     

Centimeter-Sized Single Crystals of Dion-Jacobson Phase Lead-Free Double Perovskite for Efficient X-ray Detection

2D Dion–Jacobson (DJ) phase hybrid perovskites have shown great promise in the photoelectronic field owing to their outstanding optoelectronic performance and superior structural rigidity. However, DJ phase lead-free double perovskites are still a virgin land with direct X-ray detection. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a new DJ phase lead-free layered double perovskite of (HIS)₂AgSbBr₈ ( 1 , HIS²⁺ = histammonium). Centimeter-sized (18 × 10 × 5 mm³) single crystals of 1 are successfully grown via the temperature cooling technique, exhibiting remarkable semiconductive characteristics such as a high resistivity (2.2 × 10¹¹ Ω cm), a low trap state density (3.56 × 10¹⁰ cm⁻³), and a large mobility-lifetime product (1.72 × 10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹). Strikingly, its single-crystal-based X-ray detector shows a high sensitivity of 223 µC Gy⁻¹_air cm⁻² under 33.3 V mm⁻¹, a low detection limit (84.2 nGy_airs⁻¹) and superior anti-fatigue. As far as we know, we firstly demonstrates the potential of 2D DJ phase lead-free hybrid double perovskite in X-ray detection, showing excellent photoelectric response and operational stability. This work will pave a promising pathway to the innovative application of hybrid perovskites for eco-friendly and efficient X-ray detection.     

Preparation and characterization of zeolite from waste Linz-Donawitz (LD) process slag of steel industry for removal of Fe3+ from drinking water

Cubical-shaped zeolite A was synthesized from the Linz-Donawitz (LD) process slag of the Steel Industry, utilizing conventional fusion-assisted hydrothermal treatment. Morphological and Physico-chemical characterizations were performed by various characterization techniques. A weight ratio of 1:1.2 (LD-slag: NaOH) was maintained during fusion, which provides a better binding effect with better mechanical stability to the zeolite framework. Fe³⁺ adsorption studies were performed at 273, 298, 303, and 308 K, respectively, within the range of 10–40 mg L⁻¹ Fe³⁺ ion concentration for kinetic and isotherm studies. A maximum adsorption capacity of 27.55 mg g⁻¹ was obtained at a 1.4 g L⁻¹ adsorbent dosage, with 99.99% Fe³⁺ ion removal. Moreover, the Fe³⁺ adsorption study obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, whereas multistage diffusion controlled the adsorption process. Langmuir isotherm model best fitted the equilibrium data suggesting the highly negative charge over the adsorbent surface played a vital role in the electrostatic attraction of Fe³⁺ ions. Isomorphic replacement of silicon by aluminum ion imparted a highly negative charge over the zeolite surface in the primary structure unit. For real-life sample drinking water, the Fe³⁺ ion removal efficiency increases to 97.7%.