ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Sustainable fabrication of zeolite Y from rice husk ash and metakaolin for the adsorption of Rhodamine B dye

Mohuli Das, Marcos Antônio Klunk, Ayush Srivastava, Sudipta Dasgupta, and Nattan Roberto Caetano

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam, India

E-mail: srivastavaayush59@gmail.com

Received: 13 August 2025  Accepted: 27 November 2025

Abstract:

This study confirms the potential for sustainably synthesizing zeolite Y (ZY) using rice husk ash (RHA) and metakaolin (MK), achieving Si/Al ratios (SARs) ranging from 2.0 to 3.5. The physicochemical characterizations revealed that increasing the SAR led to improvements in specific surface area (up to 725 m²/g), increased microporous and mesoporous volumes, and increased pore diameters, thereby enhancing accessibility for Rhodamine B (RhB) molecules. Although total acidity decreased with higher silicon content, the augmented crystallinity, porosity, and hydrophobicity (particularly in ZY 3.0 and ZY 3.5) supported stronger dye interactions. Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) served as a crucial organic structure-directing agent (OSDA), helping to maintain structural stability and enhance adsorption performance. Adsorption experiments demonstrated a peak RhB removal after 72 h, with zeolites of higher SAR achieving up to 75% removal at a concentration of 1 mg/L. Adsorption equilibrium was reached for all concentrations, with higher dye levels showing earlier saturation of active sites. Zeolite Y exhibited strong potential as an efficient and environmentally sustainable material for textile wastewater treatment. Based on the present findings, an operational period of 72 h is recommended, together with strategies to minimize desorption and facilitate industrial-scale applications.

Graphical abstract

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Keywords: Zeolite y; Rice husk ash; Si/Al ratio; Dye adsorption; Textile wastewater treatment

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04568-6

Chemical Papers 80 (3) 3009–3023 (2026)