FACILE SYNTHESIS OF MgFe2O4/BENTONITE NANOCOMPOSITES AND THEIR UTILIZATION FOR PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE

Abstract

Bentonite is an abundant and inexpensive natural clay mineral with a high specific surface area with a
layered structure, large specific surface area, good adsorption capacity, and high ion exchange capacity. A
solution of incorporating MgFe2O4 into bentonite matrix was implemented to enhance the efficiency of
methylene blue dye treatment in aqueous media. The present study was aimed at synthesizing MgFe2O4
substituted bentonite material by solution combustion method. The prepared samples of MgFe2O4/bentonite
nanocomposites were featured using XRD, FTIR, SEM, VSM, DRS, and BET. The obtained results indicated
that the composite material was successfully synthesized and possessed the properties of MgFe2O4 and
bentonite. After the experiment, the highest MB degradation rate was 93.44% at optimal conditions for 180
min under visible light in the presence of H2O2. This study shows that the advantages of composite materials
between ferrite and bentonite are enhanced adsorption on the material surface, increased stability, and high
reusability. The composite MgFe2O4/bentonite promises potential application to treat organic pollutants in
water