Nanocomposite for the immobilization or degradation of pollutants

Abstract

A particulate nanocomposite material comprising, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD): an orthorhombic CaB2O4 crystalline phase; a triclinic MnMgB2O5 crystalline phase; and, a Ca3B2O6 crystalline phase. The particulate nanocomposite material has, based on the total number of atoms in the nanocomposite material: an atomic concentration of carbon (C) of from about 0.1 to about 5 atom %; an atomic concentration of calcium (Ca) of from about 5 to about 15 atom %; an atomic concentration of boron (B) of from about 1 to about 10 atom %; an atomic concentration of manganese (Mn) of from about 5 to about 15 atom %; and, an atomic concentration of magnesium (Mg) of from about 5 to about 15 atom %. The particulate nanocomposite material has utility in immobilizing inorganic contaminants disposed in an aqueous medium and in degrading organic pollutants disposed in an aqueous medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.