Degradation of FBL dye wastewater by magnetic photocatalysts from scraps

Abstract

Magnetic photocatalyst solves the separation problem between wastewater and TiO 2 photocatalysts by the application of magnetic field. This research investigates the treatment of simulated FBL dye wastewater using Mn-Zn ferrite/TiO 2 magnetic photocatalyst. The magnetic Mn-Zn ferrite powder was first produced by a chemical coprecipitation method from spent dry batteries and spent pickling acid solutions. These two scraps comprise the only constituents of Mn-Zn ferrite. The as-synthesized Mn-Zn ferrite was then suspended in a solution containing Ti(SO 4) 2 and urea. Subsequently a magnetic photocatalyst was obtained from the solution by chemical coprecipitation. The prepared Mn-Zn ferrite powder and magnetic photocatalyst (Mn-Zn ferrite/TiO 2) were characterized using XRD, EDX, SEM, SQUID, BET, and so forth. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized magnetic photocatalysts was tested using degradation of FBL dye wastewater. The adsorption and degradation studies by the TOC and ADMI measurement were carried out, respectively. The adsorption isotherm and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model for the prepared magnetic TiO 2 were proved to be applicable for the treatment. This research transforms waste into a valuable magnetic photocatalyst.