Clay-Supported Fe[Fe(CN)5NO] as an Effective, Viable Catalyst in the Sono-Photodegradation of Methyl Violet 10B

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a cost-effective and eco-friendly catalyst for removing persistent dyes from water. This was achieved by utilizing the photocatalytic properties of Fe[Fe(CN)₅NO], which was immobilized on a phyllosilicate clay (FeNP@Kao). This catalyst was successfully obtained by the in situ reaction between Fe(II) ions and nitroprusside anions [Fe(CN)₅NO] on the surface of kaolin. The obtained material was subsequently characterized by FTIR spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and BET Analysis. The experimental analysis shows that the Fe[Fe(CN)₅NO] the complex is well infiltrated on the surface of the used clay. The sono-photodegradation trials were optimized under the effect of four operating factors, including FeNP@Kao amount (0.25–1.50) gL⁻¹, solution pH(1–6), H₂O₂ quantity (0–0.075) mol L¹, and methyl violet 10B initial concentration (5–50) mgL⁻¹. The attained results illustrate that methyl violet 10B elimination increased with the rise of the H₂O₂ concentration and the catalyst dose. The optimum conditions determined at room temperature were C_MV10B═15 mgL⁻¹, m_FeNP@K═1 gL⁻¹, $$= 0.060 mol L⁻¹, and pH = 3 with a total removal efficiency (100%) achieved after 60 min of reaction. The results showed that the FeNP@Kao is an outstanding visible-light-driven catalyst material for the photodegradation of MV10B under visible-light irradiation.