Study on low-cost preparation of glass–ceramic from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash and lead–zinc tailings

• Low cost additive-free glass-ceramics is produced from MSWI fly ash and lead–zinc tailings. • The solidification effect of diopside ferrous crystals on heavy metals is higher than that of anorthite and gehlenite. • Heavy metals were effectively immobilized in the prepared LZT-based glass-ceramics. • The LZT-based glass-ceramics have the potential to be the construction materials. Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash and lead–zinc tailings contain heavy metals and are detrimental to the environment. However, conventional melt disposal requires high temperatures, resulting in high costs. This study used coal gangue as a flux to reduce the melting temperature, and the one-step process successfully prepared the CaO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 series glass-ceramics. The results show that the solidification effect of diopside ferrous crystals on heavy metals is higher than that of anorthite and gehlenite, and the leaching concentration of heavy metals conforms to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Chinese National (GB 5058.3) standard limits. This study provides a reference for the efficient, green, low-cost treatment of MSWI fly ash, lead–zinc tailings, and coal gangue.