Katie Buchel
Strength in Numbers: Optimizing the RhB Adsorption Capacity of MGO
London Central Secondary School
Rhodamine B (RhB) is a synthetic dye used in various industrial processes including tracing water flow. However, the dye is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin with negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. A common method for Rhodamine B removal is adsorption because of its efficiency in cost, reusability, and efficacy. Magnesium Germanium Oxide (MGO) is a nanoparticle observed to collect RhB particles on its solid surface (adsorption), and this project is focused on optimizing the adsorption capacity of MGO and comparing it to the commercial product: activated carbon. For this project, I conducted mass-dependent, time-dependent, multi-cycle, pH-dependent, and material-dependent trials, with over 30 samples in total! From my results, I found that MGO has a 98% efficiency and can be used for dye-recycling (which activated carbon is insufficient for) because of its selectivity toward dye-charge, simultaneously lowering dye-cost and production rates while cleaning wastewater.
Bronze Medal
Mount Allison University $3,000 Entrance Scholarship
University of Ottawa – $1000 Entrance Scholarship
Western University – $1000 Entrance Scholarship