What does this research mean for the field?

Silica nanoparticles synthesized from natural sand via a microwave-assisted alkaline fusion method act as highly efficient, stable, and recyclable photocatalysts for the complete degradation of Rhodamine B under simulated solar irradiation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.METHODOLOGICAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To synthesize mesoporous silica nanoparticles from natural sand via a microwave-assisted alkaline fusion method and evaluate their photocatalytic efficacy in degrading Rhodamine B.

September 3, 2026Results in ChemistryOpen Access

Microwave-assisted synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles from natural sand for efficient solar photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

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Authors

KBKhouloud Benmarzoug CGChrifa Guerfel HAHédi Ben Amor

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Overview

Experimental study demonstrates complete solar photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B using sand-derived silica nanoparticles, highlighting a sustainable method for wastewater remediation.

Key Points

To synthesize mesoporous silica nanoparticles from natural sand via a microwave-assisted alkaline fusion method and evaluate their photocatalytic efficacy in degrading Rhodamine B.
Synthesized silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) from raw sand using energy-efficient microwave-assisted alkaline fusion without preliminary acid leaching.
Characterized the resulting nanomaterial through XRD, FTIR, BET surface area analysis, and optical band gap measurements.
Evaluated photocatalytic degradation of 4.79 mg/L Rhodamine B under simulated solar irradiation at pH 3 using 20 mg of SiNPs, including scavenger and five-cycle reusability tests.
Alkaline fusion elevated silica purity from 77.52% in raw sand to 94.34% in the SiNPs (SBET = 65.48 m²/g, optical band gap ~3.55 eV), with Al2O3 (3.82%) as the sole detected metallic impurity.
Achieved 100% degradation of Rhodamine B within 30 min via a surface-mediated pseudo-first-order kinetic process (k1 = 0.080 min⁻¹, R² = 0.931), driven predominantly by photogenerated holes.
Maintained catalytic stability and high degradation performance across five consecutive recycling cycles.

Cite This Study

Benmarzoug et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a99353a636c6408cfa7d4cd https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103815

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September 3, 2026Results in ChemistryOpen Access

Microwave-assisted synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles from natural sand for efficient solar photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

KBKhouloud Benmarzoug CGChrifa Guerfel HAHédi Ben Amor

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Experimental study demonstrates complete solar photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B using sand-derived silica nanoparticles, highlighting a sustainable method for wastewater remediation.

Key Points

To synthesize mesoporous silica nanoparticles from natural sand via a microwave-assisted alkaline fusion method and evaluate their photocatalytic efficacy in degrading Rhodamine B.
Synthesized silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) from raw sand using energy-efficient microwave-assisted alkaline fusion without preliminary acid leaching.
Characterized the resulting nanomaterial through XRD, FTIR, BET surface area analysis, and optical band gap measurements.
Evaluated photocatalytic degradation of 4.79 mg/L Rhodamine B under simulated solar irradiation at pH 3 using 20 mg of SiNPs, including scavenger and five-cycle reusability tests.
Alkaline fusion elevated silica purity from 77.52% in raw sand to 94.34% in the SiNPs (SBET = 65.48 m²/g, optical band gap ~3.55 eV), with Al2O3 (3.82%) as the sole detected metallic impurity.
Achieved 100% degradation of Rhodamine B within 30 min via a surface-mediated pseudo-first-order kinetic process (k1 = 0.080 min⁻¹, R² = 0.931), driven predominantly by photogenerated holes.
Maintained catalytic stability and high degradation performance across five consecutive recycling cycles.

Cite This Study

Benmarzoug et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a99353a636c6408cfa7d4cd https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103815

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark