A Novel Humidity Self-Regulating Interior Wall Coating Composite Based on Red Mud Derived from Alumina Production

Aimed to resolve the problem of excessively high indoor humidity in subtropical areas and develop a new resource disposal technique for red mud, a novel humidity self-regulating interior wall coating composite based on red mud (HRCRM) was successfully prepared using red mud as a matrix material and vermiculite as a humidity regulator. The effects of component proportion, ambient humidity, exposure time on hygroscopicity of this composite were systematically investigated. This composite exhibited good humidity regulating ability with the largest water absorption rate of 16.38% under experimental conditions. Moreover, various properties were tested including surface drying time, hardness, adhesion, coating appearance, water resistance and reusability, meeting the national standard requirements well. The mechanism was comprehensively analyzed by XRD, TG-DTG, FESEM, and FTIR, indicating that the humidity self-adjusting function of HRCRM was realized by regulating the interlayer water storage of vermiculite. This study can provide theoretical and technical guidance for residential environment improvement in subtropical areas and comprehensive utilization of red mud.