Foamed glass functionalized with iron compounds: A strategic material for heterogeneous photocatalysis

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 304; p. 127880
• Main Authors: Murr, Carlos G., Kozlinskei, Lucas L., Grzebielucka, Edson C., Borges, Christiane P.F., Arrúa, Maria Elena Payret, de Souza, Eder C.F., Alves, Suellen Aparecida, Antunes, Sandra R.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Ecotoxicity; Hematite; Magnetite; Photocatalyst; Waste reutilization; Hematite; Magnetite; Photocatalyst; Ecotoxicity; Waste reutilization
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.127880

Foamed glasses were synthesized using waste and low-cost materials. Two foaming agents were used: graphite and limestone. In addition, the foamed glass were functionalized with hematite for heterogeneous photocatalytic application. The X-ray diffractograms (XRD) showed that hematite was reduced into magnetite and that graphite remained after the thermal treatment. According to the ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS), the generated magnetite presented the same optical properties as those of the hematite raw, with the benefits of being incorporated into a low density material, which can increase the incidence of electromagnetic irradiation and hasten the photocatalytic process. This photocatalyst was able to degrade 98.6% of the Sunset Yellow dye within 15 min, without generating harmful by-products, measured by acute toxicity tests employing microcrustacean Artemia sp. •Hematite was reduced to magnetite when utilizing graphite as foaming agent.•Total discoloration was observed already in the first 15 min.•Statistical analysis showed no degradation difference between foaming agents.•Assays performed did not presented by-products harmful to test organisms.