Immobilized Nanoparticles on Polymeric Carriers for Removal of Reactive Textile Dyes in Aqueous Media

Abstract

In the waste water treatment, especially in the removal of textile dyes from aqueous media, it is known that photocatalytic oxidation technique has tremendous advantages compared to conventional techniques, such as quick oxidation, prevention of polycyclic end products, and oxidation of organic species even at µg/L concentrations. Heterogeneous photocatalysis consisting semiconductor oxides such as TiO 2 has been effectively implemented in aqueous media. However, problems such as catalyst separation and catalyst recovery are encountered when powder catalysts are used. Meanwhile, the fixation of oxides by any method reduces the catalytic effıciency. In this study, nanoparticles (10-100 nm) as heterogeneous catalysts were synthesized and then immobilized onto cross-linked polymer carriers that are able to swell in aqueous media in order to increase photocatalytic activity to the highest level. It has been seen that the removal of textile dyes is possible by means of nanoparticles immobilized onto cross-linked polymer carriers. The performance of photocatalyst was evaluated in the removal of reactive textile dye (Acid Red 14) from aqueous media.