Evaluation and Optimization of Synthesized Silica Nanocomposite for Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye Using Response Surface Methodology

Effective wastewater treatment for synthetic dyes is crucial for environmental sustainability attributed to the toxic nature and persistence of these pollutants. Methylene blue (MB), a widely used synthetic dye that can contribute to severe environmental concern if not properly removed from wastewater. Nanomaterials have emerged as highly efficient agents for degrading MB offering a promising solution for wastewater treatment. NaCl-SiO2 NCs were synthesized through the sol-gel method. The successful formation of the composite was also confirmed by characterization results, with X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns showing the presence of a combination of crystalline NaCl and amorphous SiO2 phases and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showing the presence of key functional groups, silanols (Si-OH) at 1043 cm-1 and Si-O-Si at 796 cm-1, which are crucial to dye adsorption. The degradation of MB in aqueous solution was used in these nanocomposites. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize processes through a Central Composite Design (CCD) to assess the effect of nanocomposites dose, contact time, and pH. Optimal conditions were considered to be the highest percentage (97.2%) of MB degradation at a nanocomposite dose of 100 mg/50 mL, pH 6, and a contact time of 140 minutes. This suggests that NaCl-SiO2 nanocomposites are a good, eco-friendly substance that can be used to effectively degrade dye in wastewater treatment and has a high possibility of large-scale applications.

Samina Gull, Naeem Abbas, Mohsin Raza, Najma Ameer Mian Habib-ur-Rehman Mahmood and Muhammad Hammad Khan