Iron-cellulose modified clay: a promising low-cost photocatalyst for organic dye removal
摘要
Environmental contamination by organic pollutants, such as azo dyes, presents a significant challenge, necessitating sustainable and efficient remediation strategies. Cellulose, a renewable biopolymer, offers a promising platform for photocatalysis due to its modifiable structure and environmental compatibility. However, optimizing cellulose-based composites for enhanced photocatalytic activity remains a challenge. This study addresses this by developing a novel, cost-effective catalyst: a cellulose-modified bentonite composite doped with iron (Fe@C/Bt) synthesized via a one-pot ion intercalation-exfoliation method. The catalyst’s structure, surface properties, and iron content were characterized through FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and AAS analyses. Surface area measurements were obtained via N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-RD) determined the band gap. The Fe@C/Bt catalyst demonstrated high efficiency in degrading organic azo dyes, achieving 97% degradation of Congo red in 90 min and 98% degradation of Methyl Orange in 30 min, making it highly suitable for environmental remediation applications. A full factorial design further analyzed the influence of various factors on the catalytic process, offering insights into optimizing performance. This research provides valuable guidance for advancing sustainable photocatalytic technologies in wastewater treatment.