Versatile heterogeneous dipicolinate complexes grafted into kaolinite: Catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons and degradation of dyes

Integrating Structural and Thermodynamic Mechanisms for Methanol Intercalated Kaolinite Nanoclay: Experiments and Density Functional Theory Simulation

Methanol intercalated kaolinite (Kaol) plays an important role in the intercalation, exfoliation, and organic modification of kaolinite nanoclay. However, the evolution of the layer structure of Kaol and its thermodynamic stability during the methanol intercalation process have not been clarified at the atomic level. Here, by combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculation and experimental characterizations, the interlayer bonding, structure evolution, and energetics from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) intercalated Kaol to methanol intercalated Kaol were investigated. Partial methanol molecules entered the interlayers of Kaol to form some intermediate structures with the same d-spacing as that of DMSO intercalated Kaol. Different numbers of grafted methoxy and water molecules coexist together in the interlayer to form the final structures of methanol intercalated kaolinite (MeOm/nH2O/Kaol). The whole intercalation process is energy-consuming, and the presence of DMSO would affect the intercalation of methanol. Meanwhile, the formation energy from intermediate structures to final structures was found reduced under the participation of water.

Removal of methyl orange by heterogeneous Fenton catalysts prepared using glycerol as green reducing agent

This study aims to prepare environmentally friendly iron catalysts supported on silica, using glycerol as green reducing and stabilizing agent, for application in heterogeneous Fenton degradation of the pollutant dye methyl orange (MO). The catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, Mössbauer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, which revealed the formation of iron(II)/(III) oxalates from the oxidation of glycerol by the iron(III) nitrate precursor. Besides, iron oxihydroxide nanoparticles with superparamagnetic behavior were also formed. Iron catalysts prepared in the presence of nickel(II) or zinc(II) nitrates lead to the formation of the corresponding oxalates. The catalysts were able to degrade MO, efficiently in 180 min of reaction. Fe/SiO₂ furnished higher reaction rates, followed by Zn4Fe2/SiO₂, which presented higher iron content as well as the smallest nanoparticles. Reaction parameters such as catalyst dosage, hydrogen peroxide concentration, pH and reaction temperature were investigated.