Photocatalytic activity of molybdenum-doped LOS- zeolite for efficient dye degradation and hydrogen production

• Published in: Results in engineering 2024-12, Vol.24, p.103122, Article 103122
• Main Authors: Khawaja, Hamza, Naeem, Nida, Khoja, Asif Hussain, Kanwal, Hajirah, Raza, Ali, Anwar, Mustafa, Liaquat, Rabia, Din, Israf Ud, Naqvi, Salman Raza, Al-Anazi, Abdulaziz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminosilicates; Chemical Engineering; Dye degradation; Fly Ash; FTIR; H 2 production; Hydrogen production; Kemiteknik; LOS-Zeolite; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photocatalytic activities; Photocatalytic activity; Photocatalytic property; Photodegradation; SEM-EDX; Sodium aluminosilicate; XRD; Zeolite-A
• ISSN: 2590-1230; 2590-1230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103122

This research investigates the synthesis and application of Losod-zeolite (LOS-Z), a crystalline hydrated sodium aluminosilicate (Na12Al12Si12O48.xH2O) as a potential photocatalyst for dye degradation and H2 production from dye-degraded water. The photocatalytic properties are enhanced by impregnating molybdenum (Mo) into LOS-Z (Mo@LOS-Z). XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping were used to study the physicochemical properties of synthesized materials while UV–vis and PL were employed to explore the optoelectronic properties. The photocatalytic activities for dye degradation and H2 production were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. An enhancement in the efficiency of dye degradation (56%–82%) and H2 production rate was demonstrated due to the competitive photocatalytic performance of 10% Mo@LOS-Z compared to the pristine LOS-Z and CFA-BFA blend. It exhibited 2.5 times higher (∼1200 μmol g−1h−1) H2 production than the LOS-Z (∼480 μmol g−1h−1) due to the synergistic effects of narrowed band gap and recombination rate. This study could pave the way forward into the synthesis of waste-derived photocatalysts for efficient dye degradation and H2 production. [Display omitted] •LOS-Z was synthesized from a CFA-BFA blend via a 2-step hydrothermal method.•Mo@LOS-Z photocatalysts were synthesized using the wet impregnation method.•Catalysts used for dye degradation and H2 production from dye-degraded water.•Decreased band gap and recombination improved photocatalysis.•10 % Mo@LOS-Z has high activity in photocatalytic applications.