Mapping the research landscape of bauxite by-products (red mud): An evolutionary perspective from 1995 to 2022
Adela Svobodova-Sedlackova,
Alejandro Calderón,
A. Inés Fernandez,
Josep Maria Chimenos,
Carlos Berlanga,
Onuralp Yücel,
Camila Barreneche,
Rafael Rodriguez
Affiliations
Adela Svobodova-Sedlackova
Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain; Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (INAMAT2), Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain; Corresponding author. Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain.
Alejandro Calderón
Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
A. Inés Fernandez
Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
Josep Maria Chimenos
Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
Carlos Berlanga
Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (INAMAT2), Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
Onuralp Yücel
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, İTÜ Ayazaga Campus, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey
Camila Barreneche
Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
Rafael Rodriguez
Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (INAMAT2), Public University of Navarre, Campus Arrosadía S/N, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
The global population growth has significantly impacted energy and raw material consumption, unmatched since the Industrial Revolution. Among metals, aluminium ranks second only to steel, with annual production exceeding 69 million tonnes. Due to its high demand, bauxite, the primary ore from which aluminium is extracted, is now classified as a critical material in the EU and the US, given the potential risk of supply shortages for essential applications. Geographical and production challenges surround bauxite, presenting geo-economic and environmental challenges. A critical concern in aluminium production is managing by-products, notably red mud, a bauxite residue, generating over 175 million tonnes annually worldwide. Comprehensive bibliometric research is imperative due to the high amount of bibliographical resources related to this topic, encompassing circular economy, re-valorisation, sustainability, and disposal. This study employs bibliometric methods to assess red mud valorisation, offering insights into research topics, influential authors, and key journals, shedding light on the past, present, and future of red mud research. Such bibliometric analysis not only highlights the current state of the field but also serves as a valuable tool for decision-making, enabling researchers and policymakers to identify trends, gaps, and areas for further exploration, fostering informed and sustainable advancements in the by-products of the aluminium industry.
