A novel route to the synthesis of α-Fe2O3@C@SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposite from the metal-organic framework as a photocatalyst for water treatment.

In this study, an attempt was made to synthesize metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based magnetic iron particles as photocatalysts for textile dye wastewater. Improvement strategy was a novel two-step dry method without using conventional methods to eliminate the consumption of chemical reagents. First, the heterogeneous photocatalyst of Fe-MOFs derived magnetic carbon nanocomposite with carboxylic acid surface functional groups (Fe@C-COOH) was achieved. Next, the α-Fe2O3@C@SiO2/TiO2 was successfully synthesized followed by a sol-gel method to coat the SiO2 shell and a solvothermal method to coat the surface of the intermediate TiO2 particles. The as-synthesized nanocomposite materials were characterized and physicochemical analytical equipment. Further, the investigation on magnetic photocatalytic nanocomposite α-Fe2O3@C@SiO2/TiO2 performance of dye degradation and photocatalytic activity on Reactive yellow 145 (RY145), using as an indicator was conducted. The as-synthesized nanocomposite particles were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The structural characterization of the as-synthesized materials proved that these methods generate oxygen-containing functional groups, such as, -OH, -CO, and -COOH, which increases the polarity and hydrophilicity of the photocatalyst. The photocatalytic oxidation of RY145 dye under UVc light was discussed by the apparent first-order reaction rate and the kinetic model of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood followed a better fitting. The optimal performance of the composite is at pH = 2, 15 mg/100 mL of photocatalyst dose, 150 mg/L concentration of the dye RY145 at 25 °C temperature under UVc lamp irradiation for 90 min, and with the apparent reaction rate constant was 0.0165 min-1. The thermodynamic analysis of activation parameters computed by the Eyring model and based on transition state theory (TST), an endothermic reaction with a positive value for Δ‡Ho (50.16 kJ mol-1) and a negative value for Δ‡So (-153 J/mol K) both contribute toward achieving positive values for Δ‡Go and a nonspontaneous process. The proposed α-Fe2O3@C@SiO2/TiO2 demonstrated a high capability of photocatalytic degradation up to 97% after five successive cycles at the optimal condition compared to that of Fe3O4@C (18.74%) and Fe@C-COOH (77.9%) without reusability.

Toxicity of Cadmium and nickel in the context of applied activated carbon biochar for improvement in soil fertility.

Toxicity induced by heavy metals deteriorates soil fertility status. It also adversely affects the growth and yield of crops. These heavy metals become part of the food chain when crops are cultivated in areas where heavy metals are beyond threshold limits. Cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) are considered the most notorious ones among different heavy metals. The high water solubility of Cd made it a potential toxin for plants and their consumers. Accumulation of Ni in plants, leaves, and fruits also deteriorates their quality and causes cancer in humans when such a Ni-contaminated diet is used regularly. Both Cd and Ni also compete with essential nutrients of plants, making the fertility status of soil poor. To overcome this problem, the use of activated carbon biochar can play a milestone role. In the recent past application of activated carbon biochar is gaining more and more attention. Biochar sorb the Cd and Ni and releases essential micronutrients that are part of its structure. Many micropores and high cation exchange capacity make it the most acceptable organic amendment to improve soil fertility and immobilize Cd and Ni. In addition to improving water and nutrients, soil better microbial proliferation enhances the soil rhizosphere ecosystem and nutrient cycling. This review has covered Cd and Ni harmful effects on crop yield and their immobilization by activated carbon biochar. The focus was made to elaborate on the positive effects of biochar on crop yield and soil health.

Catalytic cracking of palm oil for the production of biofuels: optimization studies.

Oil palm is widely grown in Malaysia. Palm oil has attracted the attention of researchers to develop an 'environmentally friendly' and high quality fuel, free of nitrogen and sulfur. In the present study, the catalytic cracking of palm oil to biofuel was studied over REY catalyst in a transport riser reactor at atmospheric pressure. The effect of reaction temperature (400-500 degrees C), catalyst/palm oil ratio (5-10) and residence time (10-30s) was studied over the yield of bio-gasoline and gas as fuel. Design of experiments was used to study the effect of operating variables over conversion of palm oil and yield of hydrocarbon fuel. The response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum value of the operating variables for maximum yield of bio-gasoline fraction in the liquid product obtained.