PERFORMANCES OF EXCHANGED ZEOLITE FOR THE

DEGRADATION OF METHYL ORANGE DYE VIA PHOTO-

FENTON PROCESS
Olfa OULEDLTAIEF(1), Stéphane SIFFERT(2), Sophie FOURMENTIN(2), Mourad BENZINA(1)
(1)Water, Energy and Environment Laboratory, Sfax, Tunisia
Poster ID :
(2)ULCO ,A4492 Dunkerque, France
corresponding author e-mail: olfa.ol@live.fr 681

Abstract Results
In the present work, a Faujasite type zeolite (FAUsyn) was synthesized from low grade Tunisian clay. In
the second time, various ions of transition metals: Cu, Co and Fe have been exchanged into the zeolite to Effect of the catalyst dose
be used as photo-Fenton catalysts for degradation of methyl orange (MO). Products have been
characterized in terms of mineralogical composition by X-ray diffraction and in term of specific surface
Influence of catalyst dose was studied in the
area. The results confirmed that the framework and crystallinity of zeolite were not destroyed during the
range of 20–100 mg of catalysts;
preparation of catalysts.
The effects of various operating parameters like catalyst amount on the degradation of dye were studied
at atmospheric pressure. The results indicated that the Fe doped zeolite exhibited the higher degradation
efficiency. Measurements of the mineralization of MO by TOC analysis reached 94% for the synthesized TOC elimination from 62% to 93% in the case of
zeolite exchanged with Fe ions after 20 min of contact time and under UVC irradiation. the FAUsyn-Fe when the amount of catalyst

Introduction from 20 mg to 50mg

Many industries such as the textile industries currently use synthetic dyes in their production
processes. The environmental impact of the wastewater resulting from those industries is dramatic. Figure 2. Effect of catalyst dosage on the
These aromatic amines which are characterized by the presence of N=N groups cannot easily be
degraded and are apt to be carcinogenic and mutagenic to humans. One of the most used is methyl oxidation of methyl orange
orange [1].Various technologies are utilized to remove dyes, such as biological, thermal and chemical
treatments. Advanced oxidation processes have become a popular method for wastewater treatment
because they convert contaminants into stable inorganic compounds like carbon dioxide and water. Influence of H 2 O2 concentration was
Among them an especial interest has been focused to the Fenton and photo-Fenton catalytic process. investigated in the range 0–300 µL;
Among the possible catalysis materials, metal exchanged zeolites [2] are obvious candidates due to their
high sorption capacities, good chemical and structural proprieties. The size, number and position of the
exchanged cations contribute significantly to the catalyst activity. The higher removal efficiency was reached with
150 µL of H2O2;

Materials and Methods Further in H2O2 loading does not result in the
The flow chart of the preparation of exchanged zeolite is undermentioned rate of reaction.

Tunisian clay Figure 3. Effect of the initial hydrogen peroxide

concentration on the degradation of MO.
Mixed with NaOH powder
Fused at 500°C for 2h Influence of initial [MO] was examined in the
range of 20–100 mg/L;
Fused material

Added to distillated water+ the the initial [MO], the was the time
agitation for 6h required to degrade it completely
negative effect
,
Homogenization material

Crystallized at 60°C for 12h

the best mineralization efficiency is obtained

FAU type zeolite for 20 mg/L of MO.

Exchange with transition

metals This is a label for the image.
The autoclave used Multirays
This isapparatus
a label forused for
the image. Figure 4. Effect of initial concentration of MO.
for zeolite synthesis Photo-Fenton experiments
Exchanged FAU

Results
Table 2. Specific surface area of prepared catalysts.
Figure 1. XRD patterns of the as- synthesized zeolite
exchanged with metals.
Samples are in crystalline phase and reveals a
typical FAU type structure without changes in the
position of the major diffraction peaks;
Discussion and Conclusions
Table 1. Proprieties of the synthesized zeolite
 FAU type zeolite was successfully synthesized using low-grade natural clay as raw
material through alkaline fusion followed by a hydrothermal treatment.
Material Si/Al SBET (m2/g) vP (cm3/g)  a series of metals exchanged zeolites had been prepared via conventional ion
exchange method using the as-prepared zeolite
 results of photo-fenton tests show that metals-exchanged zeolites are effective
FAU syn 2,2 360 0,33 catalysts for MO oxidative degradation
 The catalysts presented a higher MO degradation with a selectivity in the order Fe-
FAU syn> Cu- FAU syn > Co-FAU syn
 Complete color removal and 94 % TOC degradation is achieved within 20 min of
reaction time with 150 μl of H2O2 and 50 mg of the Fe-zeo syn.
Catalyst Fe -FAU syn Cu-FAU syn Co-FAU syn
SBET(m2/g) 335 290 280 References
[[1] Aishah A.J., Sugeng T., Adam S.H., Rahim N.D., Aziz M.A.A., Hairom N.H.H., Razali
N.A.M., Abidin M.A.Z., Mohamadiah M.K.A., (2010). 181:755–762.
[2] Hassan H., Hameed B.H., (2011). Desalination, 276: 45–52.
the encapsulation of metal complex reduced
the SBET.
The decrease SBET of catalyst is due to the

loss of crystallinity, confirmed by in the

presence of compounds in the cages of the
FAUsyn.
Acknowledgement
intensities of the major peaks of the zeolites This project is supported by the PHC Maghreb program.
patterns.

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