Work

Synthesis of zeolite from rice husk ash and kaolinite clay for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Zeolite was successfully synthesised using a mixture of kaolinite clay (which served as the alumina source) and rice husk ash (silica source). The synthesised adsorbent was characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermgravimetric analysis (TGA) and pH at the point of zero charge (pHpzc). The interaction of the zeolite with methylene blue was studied using equilibrium batch process. Factors investigated include; solution pH, adsorbent dose, ionic strength, adsorption temperature and initial dye concentration. Results show removal efficiencies between 80-90%. Assessment of adsorption isotherms using the Freundlich and Langmuir models showed that the data from this work fitted the Freundich model with Kf = 7.388 mg1-1/nL1/ng-1 and n = 0.89 signifying a physisorption model. The data also fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic models with R2 = 1.00. assemment of the thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and the entropy change (ΔS°) confirmed the spontaneity of the process as ΔG increased with temperature. Results from this study shows that zeolite prepared from readily available raw materials can be used for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution..

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41325

Authors: Justice Hayfron, Sirpa Jääskeläinen, Samuel Tetteh

Institutions: University of Cape Coast, University of Eastern Finland

Language: English

Topic: Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,100