U-PEO:CuZnAl as a Recyclable Bifunctional Composite for Absorption/Degradation of Azo-Dyes

Abstract

The catalytic activity of layered double hydroxide (LDH) and the aqueous solution absorption capacity of ureasil polyethylene oxide (U-PEO) were combined to produce an easily recyclable solidliquid (S-L) reactor (U-PEO:LDH). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of LDH (CuZnAl), U-PEO, and U-PEO:LDH confirmed the layered structure of the catalyst and evidenced its inclusion in the free volume of U-PEO matrix. The catalytic activity of the CuZnAl in the composite prepared with different amounts of LDH, towards degradation of the Acid Blue 29 (AB29) dye by a heterogeneous Fenton-like process was investigated, and the results evidenced a maximum efficiency (96%) for composite with 10 wt.% of LDH. Recyclability assessments demonstrated that the superior performance of the U-PEO:LDH reactor was sustained over several cycles (4). The U-PEO:LDH reactor proposed in this work has excellent potential as a heterogeneous catalyst for effective dye removal in environmental applications.