Effects of Zeolite Morphology on Adsorption of Brooker’s Merocyanine Dye

Primary Submission Contact

Jennifer Holt

Faculty Sponsor

Jennifer Holt

Faculty Sponsor Email Address

jennifer.holt@valpo.edu

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Chemistry Department

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Date

Fall 10-26-2018

Abstract

Zeolites are integral to a wide variety of adsorption processes; a fundamental understanding of the zeolite is necessary to optimize their applications. The adsorptive properties of zeolite Linde Type L (LTL) were investigated using Brooker’s merocyanine (BM) dye as a guest molecule. LTL crystals were synthesized according to well-established recipes to control their shape and size. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to confirm the identity and morphology, respectively, of the synthesized crystals. To study dye adsorption, the LTL crystals were immersed in BM solution under acidic and basic conditions for various time intervals. Adsorption of dye was measured indirectly by UV-Vis spectroscopy of the dye solution. For the short cylinder (SC) shape, under acidic conditions, maximum dye adsorption was reached within six hours. On average, (1.774 ± 0.024) x 1019 BM molecules/gram zeolite were adsorbed. Under basic conditions, SC dye adsorption was below the limit of detection at six hours. These findings indicate a cation-exchange method is favored within a short time interval. The time interval will be repeated for different morphologies to better understand the influence of shape on adsorption.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Nicholas Cesario is a senior biochemistry major also studying the humanities and physics. He plans on attending medical school to become a primary care physician for underserved communities.

Maia Wygle is a junior chemistry major. She became interested in this project for its potential applications in reducing the environmental impact of the petroleum industry.

Additional Presentation Information

Wall Poster

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