Synthesis and Evaluation Catalytic Efficiency of Perovskite-Type Oxide Nanopowders in Removal of Bromocresol Purple from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

A1-xAxBO3 belongs to the perovskite oxides of the ABO3 structure. In this study, nanoparticles of La0.5Ca0.5FeO3 were fabricated by sol-gel citrate technique. A series of common analytical techniques were used to characterize the crystallinity, morphology, specific surface area, and grain size of the nanopowders. These properties were characterised by means of XRD, SEM, EDX and FTIR. The calculated particles size using the Scherrer's formula was about 20 nm. Moreover, the family of perovskite-type oxides could be considered as an adsorbent/catalyst material for the removal of dyes. This study has also investigated the efficiency of La0.5Ca0.5FeO3, as an adsorbent for removal of dye (Bromocresol Purple (BP)), from an aqueous solution. The adsorption studies were carried out at different pH values, various adsorbent dosages and contact time in a batch experiments. The kinetic studies indicate that the removal process obeys the Pseudo-first-order kinetic equation. Also, the isotherm evaluations reveal that the adsorption of BP by the nanoparticles follows the Langmuir model. In addition, this nanoparticle with good specific affinity towards dye molecules was a promising adsorbent for dye removal from natural water.