Enhanced Photodegradation of Congo Red Using RSM‐Optimized TiO₂ on Borassus flabellifer Male Inflorescence Biochar

Abstract

AbstractThis study explores the use of biochar, derived from Borassus flabellifer male inflorescence biomass as an alternative support for titanium dioxide (TiO2) to enhance its photocatalytic activity in degrading Congo red (CR) dye pollutant. The biochar was synthesized through controlled pyrolysis and subsequently combined with TiO2 to form a nanocomposite via hydrothermal method. The primary goal of creating this nanocomposite is to breakdown azo dyes, such as CR, using UV irradiation. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM coupled with EDAX, XPS, and UV‐DRS confirmed the successful integration of biochar with TiO2. The enhanced photocatalyst performance is attributed to the increased surface area, improved light absorption, and efficient charge separation facilitated by the biochar support. Furthermore, the experimental parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). These studies demonstrated that the CR concentration, contact duration, pH, and photocatalyst quantity are critical factors in the photocatalytic oxidation process. The strong correlation coefficient for the first order model indicated that the data described by the RSM, agreed with the obtained results. This study highlights the potential of agricultural waste‐derived biochar as a cost‐effective and sustainable support for TiO₂, offering a viable solution for the remediation of dye‐contaminated water.