Gabriela Carvalho Collazzo

DEGRADATION OF DIRECT BLACK 38 DYE UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT AND SUNLIGHT IRRADIATION BY N-DOPED ANATASE TIO2 AS PHOTOCATALYST

The N-doped TiO(2) photocatalyst was prepared by calcination of a hydrolysis product composed of titanium (IV) isopropoxide with ammonia as the precipitator. X-ray diffraction, surface area, XPS and UV-vis spectra analyses showed a nanosized anatase structure and the appearance of a new absorption band in the visible region caused by nitrogen doping. The degradation of Direct Black 38 dye on the nitrogen-doped TiO(2) photocatalyst was investigated under visible light and sunlight irradiation. The N-doped anatase TiO(2) demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light. Under sunlight irradiation, the N-doped sample showed slightly higher activity than that of the non-doped sample.

Removal of hazardous pharmaceutical dyes by adsorption onto papaya seeds

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) seeds were used as adsorbent to remove toxic pharmaceutical dyes (tartrazine and amaranth) from aqueous solutions, in order to extend application range. The effects of pH, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature were investigated. The kinetic data were evaluated by the pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order and Elovich models. The equilibrium was evaluated by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. It was found that adsorption favored a pH of 2.5, temperature of 298 K and equilibrium was attained at 180-200 min. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo second-order model, and the equilibrium was well represented by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 51.0 and 37.4 mg g(-1) for tartrazine and amaranth, respectively. These results revealed that papaya seeds can be used as an alternative adsorbent to remove pharmaceutical dyes from aqueous solutions.

Adsorption of Textile Dye on Zinc Stannate Oxide: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamics Studies

Zn2SnO4 powder was prepared by hydrothermal process at 200°C for 12 h. The material was characterized by X-ray-diffraction and surface area. The synthesized sample presented a pure phase and a surface area of 48.8 m2 · g−1. It was used as adsorbent to remove the Reactive Red 141 that is a azo textile dye. The adsorption kinetics of the textile dye on Zn2SnO4 followed the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption process was found to be controlled by both external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion. The equilibrium data were in good agreement with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated, and the results revealed that the adsorption process is endothermic in nature, with weak forces of the Van der Walls acting.

TEMPERATURE AND REACTION TIME EFFECTS ON THE STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE NANOPOWDERS OBTAINED VIA THE HYDROTHERMAL METHOD

An investigation was carried out on the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanopowders via the hydrothermal method, examining the influence of temperature (150oC and 200oC) and reaction time (6 to 36 h). The resulting powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectrophotometry, transmission electron micrographs and surface area. The X-ray diffraction revealed that there was formation of a pure crystalline phase, consisting only of anatase for all conditions of synthesis. Both temperature and reaction time proved to have a slight influence on the crystallite size (from 9 to 17 nm) and a significant influence on the surface area (from 86 to 168 m2.g-1).

Adsorption of leather dye onto activated carbon prepared from bottle gourd: equilibrium, kinetic and mechanism studies

Activated carbon prepared from bottle gourd has been used as adsorbent for removal of leather dye (Direct Black 38) from aqueous solution. The activated carbon obtained showed a mesoporous texture, with surface area of 556.16 m(2) g(-1), and a surface free of organic functional groups. The initial dye concentration, contact time and pH significantly influenced the adsorption capacity. In the acid region (pH 2.5) the adsorption of dye was more favorable. The adsorption equilibrium was attained after 60 min. Equilibrium data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models. The equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm, with maximum adsorption capacity of 94.9 mg g(-1). Adsorption kinetic data were fitted using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The adsorption kinetic was best described by the second-order kinetic equation. The adsorption process was controlled by both external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion. Activated carbon prepared from bottle gourd was shown to be a promising material for adsorption of Direct Black 38 from aqueous solution.

Activated carbon prepared from yerba mate used as a novel adsorbent for removal of tannery dye from aqueous solution

Activated carbon prepared from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) was used as adsorbent for the removal of tannery dye from aqueous solution. The activated carbon was characterized, and it showed a mesoporous texture, with surface area of 537.4 m2 g−1. The initial dye concentration, contact time and pH influenced the adsorption capacity. The equilibrium data were in good agreement with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption kinetics of the tannery dye on activated carbon prepared from yerba mate followed a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption process was found to be controlled by both external mass-transfer and intraparticle diffusion, but the external diffusion was the dominating process. This work highlights the potential application of activated carbon produced from yerba mate in the field of adsorption.

Degradation of Amaranth azo dye in water by heterogeneous photo-Fenton process using FeWO4 catalyst prepared by microwave irradiation.

FeWO4 particles were synthesized by a simple, rapid and facile microwave technique and their catalytic properties in heterogeneous photo-Fenton reaction were evaluated. This material was employed in the degradation of Amaranth azo dye. Individual and interactive effects of operational parameters such as pH, dye concentration and H2O2 dosage on the decolorization efficiency of Amaranth dye were evaluated by 2(3) central composite design. According to characterization techniques, a porous material and a well-crystallized phase of FeWO4 oxide were obtained. Regarding the photo-Fenton reaction assays, up to 97% color and 58% organic carbon removal were achieved in the best experimental conditions. In addition, the photo-Fenton process maintained treatment efficiency over five catalyst reuse cycles to indicate the durability of the FeWO4 catalyst. In summary, the results reveal that the synthesized FeWO4 material is a promising catalyst for wastewater treatment by heterogeneous photo-Fenton process.

Preparation of Zinc Tungstate (ZnWO4) Particles by Solvo-hydrothermal Technique and their Application as Support for Inulinase Immobilization

ZnWO4 particles were synthesized as a single-phase by a simple and easy solvo-hydrothermal technique using water-ethylene glycol mixture as solvent, without using surfactant. Physical properties of produced particles were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface area (BET), particles size distribution and atomic force microscopy (AFM). This material was used as support for inulinase immobilization by physical adsorption and the influence of temperature (30 and 50 oC) was evaluated. Material with mesoporous characteristic and with a surface area of 35.5 m2.g-1 was obtained. According to the findings, ZnWO4 present a satisfactory inulinase adsorption, and the better result was 605 U.g-1 support at 30 oC. Therefore, ZnWO4 particles prepared by one-step solvo/hydrothermal route provide a new potential support for inulinase immobilization.

Critical analysis of non-isothermal kinetics of poultry litter pyrolysis

Poultry litter is a waste from poultry industry that has been used for bioenergy generation and has high potential as feedstock for thermochemical processes, as pyrolysis. Kinetic parameters of poultry litter pyrolysis are paramount for techno-economic analysis of commercial scale processes. Scientific community has shown concern about the suitable application of different methods (model-free/model-fitting) for the determination of kinetic parameters. The application of an unsuitable method may lead to unreliable kinetic parameters. In this study, the performance of model-free methods for the determination of the kinetic parameters of poultry litter pyrolysis was evaluated. The characterization was performed through thermogravimetric analysis. Were applied the methods of Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Vyazovkin. The model-free methods were not adequate to describe the kinetics of poultry litter pyrolysis throughout the whole reaction. Therefore, a model-based (five pseudo-components model) method was applied to obtain the kinetic parameters of poultry litter pyrolysis. Such model provided an adequate fit to the experimental data.

Characteristics of Pyrolysis Products from Waste Tyres and Spent Foundry Sand Co-Pyrolysis

The products obtained through thermal conversion of tyres can represent a solution for its disposal which has been considered an environmental problem. In the foundry industry two types of sand are generated: core sand (CS) and green sand (GS); CS is classified as hazardous waste. In this paper two kinds of industrial wastes were approached, in order to propose a solution through co-pyrolysis. The experiments were performed in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The oil, fuel gas and char obtained were characterized. The main components present in the oil were naphthalene and anthracene. Char morphology was assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, confirming the resin absence on its surface. Isothermal adsorption and desorption indicated that the char obtained from tyre pyrolysis with lower particles has higher superficial area (higher than 200 m2·g−1). The main compounds identified in fuel gas were hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons up to 5 carbons.