Application of Novel C-TiO2-CFA/PAN Photocatalytic Membranes in the Removal of Textile Dyes in Wastewater

Amkelwa Mpelane,Henry H Mungondori,David M Katwire,Raymond T Taziwa,Pardon Nyamukamba

doi:10.3390/catal10080909

Amkelwa Mpelane, Henry H Mungondori + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10080909

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Abstract

The existence of dye effluent in environmental water bodies is becoming a growing concern to environmentalists and civilians due to negative health effects. In this study, a novel poly(acrylonitrile)-membrane-supported carbon-doped titanium dioxide–coal fly ash nanocomposite (C-TiO2-CFA/PAN) was prepared and evaluated in the removal of textiles dyes (methyl orange and golden yellow) in water. The C-TiO2-CFA nanocomposite was prepared via sol-gel synthesis and immobilized on PAN membrane prepared via phase inversion technique. The photocatalyst was characterized by FTIR, XRD, BET surface area analysis, SEM, EDX, and DRS. FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of the expected functional groups, and XRD revealed that the C-TiO2 was predominantly in the anatase phase, which exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The optimum C-TiO2-CFA photocatalyst load on the PAN membrane was 2% w/w, and it achieved degradation efficiencies of 99.86% and 99.20% for MO and GY dyes, respectively, at pH 3.5, using a dye concentration of 10 ppm, under sunlight irradiation, in 300 min. The novel 2% C-TiO2-CFA/PAN photocatalytic membrane proved to be very effective in the removal of textile dyes’ water. Three reusability cycles were carried out, and no significant changes were observed in the photocatalytic efficiencies. Immobilization on PAN membrane allowed easy recovery and reuse of the photocatalyst.

Highlights

Population growth globally has led to a boom in industrial production
With the advent of increasing environmental and water resource pollution, this study set out to develop an improved water treatment technology and, at the same time, provide a solution to avert the challenges associated with the accumulation of coal fly ash in the environment
The current study aimed at improving the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide by combining it with coal fly ash, which is desired for its high adsorption properties

Summary

Introduction

Population growth globally has led to a boom in industrial production. This growth in pollution-intensive industries, such as the textile industry, is one of the major contributors to the global water crisis [1,2,3,4]. Basiglini and co-workers, in 2018, reported the presence of aromatic amines, which are degradation by-products in treated water [7]. Such toxic elements in water and wastewater pose risks to human health and serious harm to ecosystems [4]. The existence of emerging recalcitrant pollutants in water has prompted researchers

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