Enhanced removal of organic using LaFeO3-integrated modified natural zeolites via heterogeneous visible light photo-Fenton degradation

LaFeO3 (LFO)-doped acid-modified natural zeolites were prepared by an impregnation-calcination method for the first time. Their effectiveness as photo-Fenton catalysts was evaluated using decolorization of Rhodamine B (RhB) as an organic model. The sample 1HNZ-30LFO was synthesized by using the support of 1HNZ, which was produced via the acid (1 N HCl) treatment of natural zeolite (NZ) at 80 degrees C for 3 h. It was consisting of approximately 30 wt% LFO and exhibited a higher removal rate of RhB, especially photocatalytic performance, than the pure LFO and parent 1HNZ. This was attributed to the synergistic effect of good adsorption ability of modified zeolite host and a large number of active sites provided by LFO guest for photo-Fenton reaction. Various operational parameters including catalyst dosage, H2O2 concentration, solution pH and dye concentration were examined in the photo-Fenton catalytic degradation of RhB. 98.3% of RhB was degraded under the conditions of 0.8 g L-1 1HNZ-30LFO, 10 mg L-1 RhB, 10 mM H2O2 and initial pH of 6. The catalytic activity of 1HNZ-30LFO was largely retained after 4 cycles of use and recycle; suggesting it could be a promising heterogeneous photocatalyst for dye degradation in wastewater via the photo-Fenton process.