SBA-15 materials as-synthesized and impregnated with Ag nanoparticles were applied to perform adsorptive desulfurization of real diesel fuel. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (HAADF-STEM-EDX and FESEM-EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed that there is uniform distribution of Ag nanodomains on the surface and in the channels of a 2AgSBA-15 (2% Ag) sample. The interaction between sulfur compounds and adsorbent mainly occurred via π-complexation mechanisms, as observed via XPS and equilibrium data. The kinetic results for 2AgSBA-15 were better fitted to the pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.9999), indicating that the determining step of the adsorptive process is chemisorption, whereas the equilibrium results were better fitted to the Langmuir model (R² > 0.9994), thus indicating that the adsorption occurs on the adsorbent surface monolayer with significant adsorption capacity (q_m = 20.30 mgS/g), approximately two times greater than that observed for pure SBA-15. The mean desulfurization reached by the adsorbents was up to 86.8% for six recycling steps.

Emissions caused by polluting gases, such as carbon dioxide, are one of the main contributors to the generation of the greenhouse effect that leads to global warming, responsible for climate change. An alternative to mitigating these emissions is the use of adsorbents capable of capturing CO₂. Zeolites are considered one of the most effective adsorbents in gas adsorption and separation technologies due to their high specific area and pore size and, consequently, greater adsorption capacity when compared to other commonly used materials. Despite this, reagents used in syntheses as the source of silica often make obtaining these materials more expensive. Seeking to overcome this limitation, in this work, materials (for CO₂ capture) were developed with a zeolitic structure using a low-cost alternative source of silica from beach sand called MPI silica to make the synthesis process eco-friendly. The crystallization time of the materials was studied, obtaining an LTA zeolite with MPI silica in a period of 1 h (ZAM 1 h), with a relative crystallinity of 74.26%. The materials obtained were characterized using the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region with Fourier transform (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis. The evaluation of the experimental adsorption isotherms showed that the zeolite LTA Aerosil^®200 (standard zeolite) and MP had adsorption capacities of 5.25 mmol/g and 4.83 mmol/g of CO₂, respectively. The evaluation of mathematical models indicated that the LTA zeolites fit the Temkin model best and had the same trend, with calculated adsorption capacities of 3.97 mmol/g and 3.75 mmol/g, respectively.

In recent years, climate change has attracted the attention of the scientific community. These changes are attributed to human action, which is responsible for the emission of polluting gases, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes that are responsible for the greenhouse effect. Post-combustion CO₂ capture using solid adsorbents is a technology that is currently gaining prominence as an alternative and viable form of capture to other industrial processes used. Zeolites are adsorbents capable of capturing CO₂ selectively due to their properties such as textural properties, high surface area, and active sites. In this context, this work developed materials with a zeolite structure with an alternative low-cost silica source from beach sand, called MPI silica, to make the process eco-friendly. Crystallization time studies were carried out for materials containing MFI-type zeolites with MPI silica with a time of 15 h (ZM 15 h) and 3 days (SM 3 d), with relative crystallinities of 92.90% and 111.90%, respectively. The synthesized materials were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the textural analysis of N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms, absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region with Fourier transform (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis. The evaluation of the experimental adsorption isotherms showed that the best results were for the zeolites synthesized in the basic medium, namely ZMP 3 d, ZM 10.5 h, and ZM 15 h, with capacities of 3.72, 3.10, and 3.22 mmol/g of CO₂, respectively, and in the hydrofluoric medium, namely SP 9 d, SM 3 d, and SM 6 d, with capacities of 3.94, 3.78, and 3.60 mmol/g of CO₂, respectively. The evaluation of the mathematical models indicated that the zeolites in the basic medium best fitted the Freündlich model, namely ZMP 3 d, ZM 10.5 h, and ZM 15 h, with capacities of 2.56, 1.68, and 1.87 mmol/g of CO₂, respectively. The zeolites in the hydrofluoric medium are adjusted to the Langmuir model (SP 9 d and SM 3 d) and Temkin model (SM 6 d), with capacities of 3.79, 2.23, and 2.11 mmol/g of CO₂, respectively.

The objective of this study is to utilize a simulation employing advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) from photodegradation to examine the treatment of textile effluents. The selection of textile effluents as the material to be degraded is justified by the significant volume of water containing dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), generated daily by the textile industry. Often, this water is discarded without undergoing effective treatment. The purification of textile effluents would enable the reuse of water within the textile production cycle, thereby promoting sustainability. This study focuses on AOPs, which are extensively utilized in photocatalytic processes. The catalytic precursor material consists of two types of clay: a commercial clay and a natural clay. The natural clay is pillared with Al and impregnated with Ce, while the commercial clay is also pillared with Al and impregnated with Ce. Both clays are also pillared with a mixed pillar of Al and Ce. This results in three comparable materials. These clays are characterized by the presence of montmorillonite as their predominant mineral component. The selected clays were commercial bentonite and natural clay (FCN). Photocatalytic performance validation tests were conducted using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Material characterization methods included crystallographic analysis (by X-Ray diffraction (XRD)), chemical composition (by X-Ray fluorescence (XRF)), morphological studies (by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and textural property analysis (by N₂ adsorption). The outcomes of these investigations offer signification insights into the potential applications of these materials in the treatment of textile effluents and the development of more sustainable processes within the textile industry. Furthermore, the results contribute to the advancement of photocatalytic material design.