Author(s)

L. A. Colar1, A. Jakab1, F. Manea1, R. Pode1 & C. Orha2

Abstract

In this study, Ag-modified natural zeolite catalyst (Z-Agred) was synthesized by chemical activation prior to the ion exchange and followed by a silver reduction with sodium boron hydride. The surface characterization of Z-Agred has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM microscopy and EDX analysis. Also, UV-VIS diffuse reflectance (DRUV-VIS) spectroscopy was used to determine the light absorption properties of the catalyst. The effect of silver reduction was noticed by comparison with the characterization of silvermodified natural zeolite by ion-exchange without the reduction stage. The photocatalytic performance of Z-Agred catalyst was proved by photocatalysis application for the decolorisation and degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye containing wastewater under visible irradiation. The optimum operating parameters were determined based on the assessment of the photocatalytic process efficiency as a function of the catalyst dose, the initial pH, and the initial concentration of dye. The good results regarding the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye using Z-Agred catalyst claim it as a potential for the real photocatalysis application in MB-containing wastewater under solar light. Keywords: Ag-modified natural zeolite catalyst, photocatalysis, VIS irradiation, MB dye.

Keywords

Ag-modified natural zeolite catalyst, photocatalysis, VIS irradiation, MB dye