Remediation of Chromium (VI) and Rhodamine 6G via Mixed Phase Nickel-Zinc Nanocomposite: Synthesis and Characterization

The mixed phase Nickel-Zinc Nanocomposite (NiZn-NC) was synthesized via microemulsion method using Tween-80 as an emulsifying agent. The Brunauer, Emmett, Teller (BET) and Barrett, Joyner, Halenda (BJH) methods were utilized to measure the surface area (53.84 m(2)/g) and pore size (1.9 nm) respectively. The crystallographic aspects were analyzed through X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and the derived average crystallite size was 24.78 nm. The surface structure was explored via scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM) whereas the elemental composition was analyzed through energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic investigation was made to identify chemical moieties. The batch process was followed for the sorption of Cr(VI) ions under the influence of initial electrolyte concentration, temperature andpH. A sets of mathematical equations were utilized to explore mechanism, theoretical modelling and thermodynamic behavior of the adsorption process. The simulated solar light driven degradation of rhodamine 6G (Rh-6G) was examined in the presence and absence of NiZn-NC. The study reveals that 92.86% of Rh-6G was degraded with degradation rate of 0.0063 min(-1)in 390 min.

Automated summary

The Nickel-Zinc Nanocomposite was synthesized through a microemulsion method and its properties were analyzed using various methods including XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX and FTIR. The study focused on the sorption of Cr(VI) ions under different conditions and utilized mathematical modeling to explore the mechanism and thermodynamic behavior of the adsorption process. It was also found that NiZn-NC can enhance the degradation of Rhodamine 6G under simulated solar light.