Microwave assisted synthesis of fly ash based zeolites for degradation of reactive blue 19 dye from wastewater

The current study presents the synthesis and characterization of corn stalk fly ash (CSFA) based zeolites using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique for the removal of reactive blue 19 dye from wastewater. Fly ash derived from the corn stalk was observed to belong to class "F" having low moisture and carbon levels. CSFA and synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), energy dispersive x-rays (EDX)-scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesized zeolites were found to have a large surface area and pore size which are suited best parameters for a potential adsorbent. The adsorption ability of the raw fly ash and synthesized zeolites was studied in batch experiments by varying different parameters such pH, dye concentration, contact duration, and adsorbent dose. It was observed that a pH of 8, an adsorbent dose of 2.10 g/100 mL, and a contact period of 40 min were the optimum parameters for the removal of reactive blue 19 dye up to 98.7%. It can be concluded that CSFA based zeolites are efficient adsorbent for the removal of reactive blue 19 dye from wastewater and may be an inexpensive and environmentally viable alternative material for wastewater treatment.