Photo-Fenton reaction using a nanocomposite

A laponite RD clay-based Fe nanocomposite (Fe-Lap-RD) has been synthesized by the so-called pillaring technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that the Fe-Lap-RD mainly consists of Fe₂O₃ (maghemite) crystallites and Fe₂SiO₁₀(OH)₂ (iron silicate hydroxide) crystallites, respectively. The photo-catalytic activity of the Fe-Lap-RD for the degradation of an organic azo dye Orange II is examined. It is found that the rate of mineralization of Orange II is slower than that of discoloration. Under optimal conditions, 100% color and 70% total organic carbon (TOC) of 0.2 mM Orange II can be removed in 45 and 90 minutes, respectively. In addition, the performance of a strongly acidic type of ion exchange resin based catalyst as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for the degradation of salicylic acid is also discussed.