Hydrothermal synthesis of leucite nanoparticles using anionic surfactant: Structural evaluation and catalytic properties

Surfactant-assisted synthesis of leucite (KAlSi₂O₆) nanoparticles was carried out by a hydrothermal method using an anionic surfactant at variable temperatures and surfactant concentrations. The newly synthesized leucite nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, TGA, XRD, FESEM, and TEM. These nanoparticles have a wide and direct band gap at their smallest particle size (E_g = 3.30 eV), showing a significant quantum confinement effect. Samples of leucite were prepared at 180°C with different SDS concentrations 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, and 0.01 M and were used to degrade methylene blue under ultraviolet radiations. These samples degraded methylene blue to 18.5, 31.7, 45.81, 31.61, 30.1%, respectively. The most effective catalyst is the one which was synthesized at 200°C and the CMC value of the surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) having the percentage degradation of 49.1%.