Organic pollutants removal by Quartz crystals

Abstract

Quartz crystals are found in nature. It is believed that these crystals are eco‐friendly and known for healing, decoration, and gem therapy. However, there is no scientific evidence of such effects, except it is a piezoelectric material. The piezocatalytic effect is viewed as having significant potential for tackling environmental challenges such as water cleaning. The piezocatalytic performance of Quartz crystals was examined and reported for a few dyes degradation. The purity of these crystals was confirmed via X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis before experimentation. Degradation of organic dyes methylene blue, methylene violet, and Rhodamine b (RB) dyes from aqueous solutions was observed using these crystals. Naturally occurred Quartz was exposed to ultrasonic vibrations for dyes and its piezocatalytic property was studied. Furthermore, using the germination index of Cicer arientium the treated water was utilized as a growth parameter. The signature of dye degradation indicates their eco‐friendly behavior. It can be assumed that these crystals can actively participate to clean organic pollutants under the application of mechanical vibrations.