MnO2 Submicroparticles from Chinese Brush and Their Application in Treatment of Methylene Blue Contaminated Wastewater

Abstract

Eggshell membrane (ESM) is selected as biotemplate to prepare MnO₂ submicroparticles (SMPs) using Chinese Brush with sodium hydroxide solution. The size with average 710 nm of the obtained materials is in good consistency with the microsructured biotemplate. An efficient and convenient absorbent for methylene blue (MB) is developed. The removal efficiency could reach up to 93% in 35 min under room temperature without pH adjusting owing to the excellent adsorption from ESM itself and hydroxyl group formed on the surface of MnO₂ crystal in the aqueous solution. Materials on the membrane can be separated from the wastewater simply to avoid the secondary pollution caused by the leak of material. This interesting approach to MnO₂ SMPs and facile operation for MB adsorption could open a new path to the submicro-materials based wastewater treatment