Research Information System
SILICON, vol.16, pp.1-14, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Methylene blue dye (MB), prevalent in textiles like cotton, wood, and silk, raises environmental and health concerns. This study presents a successful synthesis of a Bayerite/zeolite nanocomposite powder using fumed silica by-product and aluminum nitrate. Hydrothermal exploration of factors, including duration, temperature, and Al/Si ratios, revealed that high temperature (160 degrees C) and short duration (6h) favored optimal crystallization of bayerite/zeolite phases. Subsequently, an integrated photocatalytic adsorbent (IPA) was developed by mechanically mixing the synthesized bayerite/zeolite with TiO2, followed by calcination (500 degrees C, 2 h), demonstrating superior efficiency in MB photodegradation under UV-Vis light. The IPA achieved 100% degradation efficiency for 60 mg/L of MB and maintained good photostability over three cycles. The bayerite/zeolite-supported TiO2 nanocomposite exhibited the generation of positive holes (h +) and active hydroxyl radicals (OH center dot), showcasing its potential as a promising material for wastewater treatment applications.