Rapid decolorization of water soluble azo-dyes by nanosized zero-valent iron immobilized on the exchange resin

Nanosized zero-valent iron (NZVI) supported on the cation exchange resin was synthesized and applied to decompose some water soluble azo dyes. The decomposition efficiency for azo dyes was evaluated by using the aqueous suspensions and parked column of this material. Batch experiments indicated that this novel material exhibited excellent degradation ability for 0.05 g·L1 of Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 8, Acid Orange 10, Sunset Yellow, and Methyl Orange, with decolorization ratio up to 95% in 4 min; pH value was the key factor for degradation and H+ was one of the reactants; adsorption of azo dyes onto the material existed at the beginning but reduced gradually until disappearing completely. For the packed column system, 58%~90% of azo dyes were decomposed in the 1st circle of solution passing through the column, and the adsorption onto the materials could accelerate the degradation azo dyes with the increasing reaction time. During the degradation process, Fe2+, the product of NZVI, was exchanged to the resin again and could be reduced to Fe0 by KBH4 for reusing. The 10th refreshed NZVI possessed reductive activity up to 90% of the newly systhesized NZVI. Decomposing pollutants in the aqueous solution with columns packed with NZVI immobilized on the cation exchange resin is a promising technology that can solve the reclaiming and refreshing problem of NZVI.

Azo-dye adsorption activity of iron(Ⅲ) loaded novolac-based network sorbents

Iron(Ⅲ) loaded novolac-based network adsorbents 1 and 2 were studied for efficient removal of azo-dye pollutants from aqueous solutions. The adsorption behavior was evaluated by using methyl orange and orange-G as model azo dyes. The effect of parameters such as contact time and initial dye concentration on the adsorption of azo dyes was studied. The results showed that loading of Fe(Ⅲ) onto the sorbent networks has noticeable effect on azo-dye sorption capacity. The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted to Freundlich isotherm model. Besides, the reusability of the dye loaded sorbents was investigated on adjusting pH of solutions.

Application of recording films of solar radiation for environmental and ecological research

Global solar radiation is recorded by fading of the colored film into which azo-dye is impregnated with use of organic solvent. Oil Red O, Sudan I, Sudan IV and Pyridylazonaphthol are used as the azo dye. These films can be applied to measure the solar radiation in many kinds of environmental or ecological conditions. The merits of the film compared with usual measurements are to be: unnecessary of any electric sources; cheap and mass-productive easily; suitable to integrate solar radiation for long time; easy dealing in out-door or underwater conditions; possible to use on leaves of any plants because of light weight; possible to use in a lot of points at the same time.

Photo-induced Birefringence of Azo-dye Based on Three-dimensional Opal Photonic Crystals

A series of three-dimensional opal photonic crystals based on the polymer was synthesized and applied inthe field of photo-induced birefringence. The data show that the photo-induced birefringence（PIB） of pure Sudan IIIfilm could be enhanced by increasing the thickness of azo films. When Sudan III was distributed on thethree-dimensional opal photonic crystals, the photo-induced birefringence process could be modulated. In addition,the data also exhibit that the PIB processes with different pumping polarization directions are sensitive to the role ofphotonic crystals. The results could be beneficial to further understanding the photo-induced birefringence and uti-lizing the photonic crystals.

Facile synthesis of graphene anchored rare earth doped mixed metal ferrite nanorods:A potential candidate for azo dye mineralization

Bandgap tuning using rare earth metals as dopants in ferrite-based photocatalytic materials has received a lot of interest because the Fermi 4f energy of these metals generates a sub-energy state in the bandgap generated by the overlapping of Fe-3d and O-2p orbitals.Herein,dysprosium-doped cobalt-nickel mixed ferrite(D-CNFO)and its graphene-reinforced composite(D-CNFO@G)were prepared and an ideal photocatalyst material for azo dye mineralization was proposed.A cost-effective combination of wetchemical and ultrasonication methods was used to prepare the doped and composite samples.Advanced characterization methodologies were used to scrutinize the optical,compositional,structural,morphological,and photocatalytic characteristics of as-prepared materials.The X-ray diffraction analysis identified the spinel phase's(cubic)structure,while the electronic spectroscopy examination confirmed the prepared samples'rod-like morphology.The UV/visible absorbance spectrum shows the higher light harvesting behavior of the D-CNFO@G in the visible region.The mineralization performance of the DCNFO and D-CNFO@G composites was analyzed using Congo-red(an anionic dye),a well-known azo dye.The D-CNFO@G sample removes Congo-red dye at a rate almost 2.4%faster than the D-CNFO sample.The experiment involving trapping free radicals indicates that hydroxyl radical play s a crucial role in dye degradation.Since the D-CNFO@G catalyst is magnetic and can be isolated easily from the photocatalytic system,it shows an awkward cycle activity of more than 96%after five mineralization tests.The asprepared D-CNFO@G composite is proved as an excellent option for azo dye mineralization because of the combined impacts of rare earth doping,graphene reinforcement and nanotechnology.