New magnetic zeolite-based nanocomposites for photocatalysis, part 2: photocatalytic treatment of wastewater.

Abstract

Photocatalysis is considered to be the most efficient treatment as compared to the other methods and is suitable for highly cost-sensitive and energy-restrictive applications. In this research, first, we synthesized magnetic nanoparticles and reported their applications. We are going to publish it in to related communications (part 1 and part 2). In part 1, we synthesized magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4 and the versatile ZSM-5/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite for the photocatalytic treatment of wastewater. This paper specifically reports the varying ratios of ZSM-5 and Fe3O4 in the nanocomposites that are 1:1, 1:2 and 1:0.5 and as the concentration of Fe3O4 varied, the properties of the nanocomposite changed as well. Further, these nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and several advanced spectroscopy techniques. In addition to this, in a second communication (part 2), a comparison study is done between the three nanocomposites to study their magnetic behavior and photocatalytic efficiency to treat wastewater. Since these materials are magnetic in nature, therefore, after photocatalysis the material can be easily removed with the help of external magnets. Our approach provides an efficient and comparable synthesis process having photocatalytic applications in treating wastewater.