Synthesis of the Novel ZSM-5/NiO/MIL-101(Cr) Zeolite Catalyst Nanocomposite and Its Performance for the Sonodegradation of Organic Dyes in Aqueous Solutions

The current research emphasizes on the synthesis of the novel sonocatalyst nanocomposite of ZSM-5/NiO/MIL-101(Cr) zeolite by the simple ultrasonic-assisted dispersion method prior to its engagement in the degradation of the targeted organic dyes. The several techniques of FESEM, EDAX, X-ray dot-mapping, AFM, FTIR and XRD were alternatively designated to provide a comprehensive view of the fabricated catalyst specifications. Then, three considered organic dyes of methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) were all treated by the prepared ZSM-5/NiO/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposite in the aqueous solutions accompanied via the ultrasound irradiation prior to the evaluation with the UV–Vis absorption analysis. Since it acts as an oxidizing agent, the use of H2O2 solution in the above sonodegradation reactions of dye contaminants was assumed indispensable. Moreover, the effect of several parameters like irradiation time, initial dye concentration, catalyst dose, and process type on the degradation of MB, RhB and MO were investigated. On the other hand, using the first-order model, the reaction kinetics of the understudy organic dye was accomplished as the values of 0.0870 min−1 and 7.9655 min were respectively gained for constant (kapp) and half-life (t1/2) in the MB degradation over the ZSM-5/NiO/MIL-101(Cr)/US/H2O2 system. Further, the collected results revealed the substantial function of •OH as a radical scavenger derived from H2O2 in sonocatalytic degradation process. Further, to provide a better understanding for the superiority of the new composite catalyst, the sonocatalytic capabilities of raw ZSM-5 and ZSM-5/NiO were investigated under the similar conditions and the results were reflected in this research.