“SYNTHESIS & CHARACTERIZATION OF Mg—Ferrite

POLYURETHANE NANOCOMPOSITE AND ITS

UTILIZATION IN CATALYTIC REDUCTION OF TOXIC
DYE”
A Thesis submitted to:

DR. SADIA ATTA

By
INSHRAH IQBAL
M.Phil. CHEMISTRY
ROLL NO. 16
SESSION 2017-19

INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY
UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB, LAHORE

1
 ABSTRACT

Toxic dyes from industries pollute the environment and are harmful to living things. A novel

polyurethane nanocomposite is synthesized to dispose off toxic dyes. MgFe2O4 nanoparticles

were synthesized by sol gel combustion method and then Polyurethane nanocomposite of Mg-

Ferrite was synthesized via polymerization method. XRD pattern of nanoparticles reveal the

formation of spinel cubic ferrites with improved crystallinity at high temperature. No extra peaks

for impurities were observed in XRD pattern. Particle size of MgFe 2O4 determined from XRD

data is smaller than the SEM analysis. Novel polyurethane nanocomposite is characterized by

SEM and FTIR. SEM analysis showed that PU-nanocomposite has a polymer cross linkage and

porous structure. The FTIR spectrum of polyurethane nanocomposite is divided into three

spectrum regions: 1-3500-2800cm-12-1600 1400cm-13-1100-400cm-1which depicts that

synthesized product is capable of hydrogen bonding and have multiple functional groups

attached on its polymer backbone. Photocatalytic and catalytic activity of synthesized

polyurethane nanocomposite was evaluated by degrading Methylene blue dye and it was found

to be an excellent catalyst. Appropriate doze of Polyurethane nanocomposite can degrade

Methylene blue dye just in 6 minutes. Due to its high catalytic efficiency it can be used in

treatment and removal of dyes from fresh waters.