Rapid Degradation of Methyl Orange by Ag Doped Zeolite X in the Presence of Borohydride

A series of Ag nanoparticles impregnated on zeolite X (Ag-ZX) containing various amounts of Ag (in wt%) were prepared via impregnation method. The pristine zeolite X and Ag-ZX catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption desorption analyses and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The prepared catalysts were employed for the decolourization of methyl orange (MO) in the presence of potassium borohydride (KBH4). Various parameters such as the amount of Ag impregnated, MO concentration, KBH4: MO mole ratios, pH and catalyst reusability were investigated. It was found that the best decolourization efficiency was obtained when 0.06 g of Ag-ZX (6.7) catalyst was employed using a KBH4: MO mole ratio of 731: 1 at pH 5. The degradation process obeyed pseudo first-order kinetics.