Effects of Zeolite Morphology on Adsorption of Brooker’s Merocyanine Dye
Faculty Sponsor
Jennifer S. Holt
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Chemistry
ORCID Identifier(s)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9723-0114 ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1385-8001
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-30-2018
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. Short cylinder morphology adsorption of dye was measured indirectly by UV-Vis spectroscopy of the dye solution. Under acidic conditions, maximum dye adsorption was reached within six hours. On average, (1.544 ± 0.024) x 1019 BM molecules/gram zeolite were adsorbed. Under basic conditions, 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 extended for basic conditions, and different morphologies will be studied to better understand the influence of shape on adsorption.
Recommended Citation
Cesario, Nicholas R.; Wygle, Maia E. O.; and Holt, Jennifer S., "Effects of Zeolite Morphology on Adsorption of Brooker’s Merocyanine Dye" (2018). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 35.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/35
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Nick Cesario is a rising senior majoring in biochemistry and humanities. He plans to go on to medical school after graduation to someday work as a primary care physician in underserved areas. He became interested in zeolite research because of its potential applications in solar cell technology.
Maia Wygle is a third-year chemistry major with a physics minor. She is interested in fundamental zeolite research for its future applications in energy cells, as well as maximum reduction of waste produced by oil refinery.