The global demand for energy and industrial growth has generated an exponential use of fossil fuels in recent years. It is well known that carbon dioxide (CO₂) is mainly produced, but not only from fuels, which has a negative impact on the environment, such as the increasing emission of greenhouse gases. Thus, thinking about reducing this problem, this study analyzes microwave irradiation as an alternative to conventional heating to optimize zeolite A synthesis conditions for CO₂ capture. Synthesis reaction parameters such as different temperatures (60–150 °C) and different time durations (1–6 h) were evaluated. The CO₂ adsorption capacity was evaluated by CO₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the synthesis of zeolite A by microwave irradiation was successfully obtained from natural kaolinite (via metakaolinization), reducing both temperature and time. Adsorption isotherms show that the most promising adsorbent for CO₂ capture is a zeolite synthesized at 100 °C for 4 h, which reached an adsorption capacity of 2.2 mmol/g.

Phenolic compounds are toxic pollutants that are harmful to the human body and aquatic environments, with carcinogenic potential and frequently found in industrial effluents at high levels. Adsorption processes are often employed for the removal of these compounds. Mesoporous materials based on modified silica with amine have been used as adsorbents and can be considered promising for this job due to its high selectivity and better adsorption capacity when compared to materials without any modifications. In addition, adsorption studies can be performed using ultrasound as a mixing mechanism, improving mass transfer through cavitation and acoustic current. In this context, the goal of this study is to modify the surface of mesoporous silica with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and to evaluate its efficiency in the adsorption of phenol in an ultrasonic bath. In the phenol adsorption experiments, the Si-APTES showed higher adsorption capacity (12 mg g⁻¹) than the SiO₂ (2 mg g⁻¹). The kinetic models of pseudo second-order have shown to be good fits to the experimental data. The adsorption equilibrium data of the phenol on the materials studied were best described in the Langmuir isotherm.

This research pioneers the application of microwave irradiation as an innovative strategy for one-pot synthesis and surfactant elimination (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide—CTAB) from MCM-41, introducing a rapid and efficient methodology. MCM-41 silica is widely utilized in various applications due to its unique textural and structural properties. Nonetheless, the presence of residual surfactants after synthesis poses a challenge to its effective application. MCM-41 synthesis, conducted in a microwave reactor at 60 °C, provided a result within 0.5 to 1 h. Comprehensive analyses of structural, chemical, morphological, and surface characteristics were undertaken, with a focus on the impact of synthesis time on these properties. Surfactant extraction involved the use of ethanol as a solvent at 120 °C for 6 min within the microwave reactor. The acquired particles, coupled with the properties of textural and structural features, affirmed the efficacy of the synthesis process, resulting in the synthesis of MCM-41 within 36 min. This study presents the first instance of one-pot synthesis and surfactant removal from MCM-41 using a microwave reactor. The proposed method not only addresses the surfactant removal challenge, but also substantially accelerates the synthesis process, thereby enhancing the potential for MCM-41’s application in diverse fields.