Meysam Sadeghi - Department of Chemistry, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
Sina Yekta - Department of Chemistry, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran
Mohammad Mahmoudi Alemi - Department of Chemistry, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran
Pourya Zarshenas - Faculty of Chemistry & Petroleum Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

In the present research, ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully supported on the NaX zeolite by the ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal route to achieve the magnetically separable NaX/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite catalyst. The as-fabricated nanocomposite was identified applying FESEM, EDAX, XRD, FTIR, AFM, and VSM analyses. The NaX/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite was then used for the effective removal of sulfur mustard agent simulant 2- chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) from aqueous solution and monitored by the GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. Besides, the influences of multiple factors such as contact time, catalyst amount and catalyst type on the removal efficiency of 2-CEES were investigated in detail. By applying 100 mg of NaX/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite in n-hexane solvent, a removal yield of 100% was attained after 120 min of contact time. Lastly, the presence of elimination and hydrolysis products, including ethyl vinyl sulfide (EVS) and 2-hydroxy ethyl ethyl sulfide (2- HEES) from the 2-CEES degradation on the NaX/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite were clearly affirmed.

NaX/ZnFe2O4, nanocomposite catalyst, removal, 2-CEES, EVS, 2-HEES.