Alkaline hydrothermal valorization of gold tailings into hydrophobic silica aerogels and FAU zeolite

Key Points

• Hydrophobic silica aerogels and FAU zeolite were successfully produced from gold tailings, enhancing material utility.
• The conversion efficiency reached remarkable levels, providing a new pathway for waste management and resource recovery.
• Observational analysis of material transformations during alkaline hydrothermal processes supported the findings.
• This work suggests sustainable methods for recycling mining waste, with potential environmental benefits.