Synthesis of MFe2O4/CNS (M = Zn, Ni, Mn) Composites Derived from Rice Husk by the Hydrothermal-Microwave Method for Remediation of Paddy Fields

Abstract

In this research work, MFe2O4/CNS was prepared using the hydrothermal–microwave method. The influence of cations (M) toward functional groups of composites and their performance in pesticide degradation were studied. Rice husk was pyrolyzed hydrothermally (200 °C, 6 h) and by microwave (800 W, 40 min). Each product was mixed with MCl2 (Zn, Ni, Mn), FeCl3, KOH, and water, and calcined (600 °C, 15 min) to obtain a composite. Characterization by XRD confirmed the MFe2O4/CNS structure. The FTIR spectra of the composites showed different band sharpness related to C-O and M-O. A mixture of dried paddy farm soil, composite, BPMC (buthylphenylmethyl carbamate) pesticide solution (0.25%), and H2O2 solution (0.15%) was kept under dark conditions for 48 h. The solution above the soil was filtered and measured with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 217 nm. Applications without the composite and composite–H2O2 were also conducted. The results reveal that dark BPMC degradation with the composite was 7.5 times larger than that without the composite, and 2.9 times larger than that without the composite–H2O2. There were no significantly different FTIR spectra of the soil, soil–BPMC, soil–BPMC-H2O2, and soil–BPMC-H2O2 composite and no significantly different X-ray diffractograms between the soil after drying and soil after application for pesticide degradation using the composite.