Preparation of stabilized nano zero-valent iron particles via a rheological phase reaction method and their use in dye decolourization.

In this study, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC)-stabilized nano zero-valent iron (C-nZVI) was synthesized using a rheological phase reaction method. The orthogonal method was used to evaluate the factors influencing C-nZVI properties and this showed that the reaction time, solid-liquid ratio (w/v), grinding time and NaCMC concentration were all important factors. Characterization with scanning electron microscopy validated the hypothesis that the introduction of CMC led to a decrease in aggregation of iron nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction confirmed the existence of Fe(0) and the strong antioxidant activity of the iron particles. Batch decolourization experiments exhibited that solution pH, C-nZVI dosage and reaction time have significant effects on dye decolourization. A high decolourization efficiency (94.5%) was obtained within 30 min for 100 mg/L of reactive blue-19 at the optimal pH value of 5 and C-nZVI loading of 6 g/L at room temperature. The decolourization rates followed modified pseudo-first-order kinetic equations with respect to dye concentration. The observed removal rate constant was 0.0447 min(-1) for the C-nZVI loading of 6 g/L.

Synthesis of MCM-22 zeolite using rice husk as a silica source under varying-temperature conditions.

In this study, rice husk, an abundant agricultural byproduct, was utilized as an alternative silica source for the synthesis of MCM-22. The zeolite with high crystalline was synthesized using a three-stage varying-temperature hydrothermal method. The prepared silica and MCM-22 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the duration required for zeolite crystallization was significantly decreased under varying-temperature conditions. The MCM-22 was in the form of thin platelet-like crystals, and no amorphous material existed in the framework of the MCM-22 after calcination and ammonium exchange. Cationic brilliant red 5GN, a basic dye used in the wool and blanket factories for fiber dyeing, was selected as the adsorptive to study the adsorption performance of the MCM-22. Adsorption experiments indicated that the maximum extent of adsorption was obtained at pH of 10, contact time of 60 min, and MCM-22 dose of 1.0 g/L. The adsorption kinetic has been described by first-order and pseudo-second-order models. It was observed that the rate of dye adsorption followed pseudo-second-order model.