(257v) RB5 Dye Removal Using a Mexican Natural Zeolite (MNZ) in Solution

Zeolite is a mineral belongs to the family of crystalline aluminosilicate, which is naturally found in large quantities. In Mexico, there are several sites throughout the country, being clinoptilolite the most abundant, due to its characteristics this mineral has been used as catalyst support, for drying gas, as absorbing gas and as a precursor for obtaining synthetic zeolites.

In this work, the analysis of the effect of the calcination temperature in a Mexican Natural Zeolite (MNZ), in its composition, textural, morphology and behaviour of the mineral in photocatalytic tests for degradation of the RB5 dye was performed. The composition of the zeolite does not change depending on the calcination temperature, the variations were due to the nature of the material. It was also noted that this zeolite is composed of a majority phase of clinoptilolite - heulandite, a secondary phase formed by erionita - mordenite and quartz and feldspar, which were considered as impurities in the material. With increasing calcination temperature the heulandite phase disappears after 500 °C, while the other phases remain to 700 °C. Furthermore, it is observed that the mineral particles are irregularly shaped of various sizes, because this was subjected to a milling process, the elemental analysis was performed on different areas, whereby the heterogeneity of the zeolite was tested. Finally, the photocatalytic tests for RB5 dye degradation were performed using the MNZ as the promoting agent, because the iron ore has in its structure in different arrangements, it was obtained the zeolite in suspension has a positive effect on the removal of dye, however, using high concentrations of mineral in suspension causes a screening effect, which inhibits the reaction.