Modification of cellulose with TiO2 nanoparticles: Potential solar driven photocatalyst and adsorbent

AbstractIn-situ modification of cellulose fibers with titania nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) (TiO2 NPs-cellulose) was carried out via the sol –gel process using titania sol and fibers of cellulose. Cellulose fibers were extracted from wheat straw, an agricultural waste material, whereas titania sol was prepared from titanium(IV) acetoximate, [Ti{ONC(CH3)2}4]. The synthesized TiO2 NPs-cellulose composite was characterized by FT-IR, SEM –EDX, and XRD analyses. The obtained results exposed that TiO2 NPs were homogeneously dispersed over the surface of cellulose fibers. A study was conducted to compare the photocatalytic activities of TiO2 NPs-cellulose composite and TiO2 NPs towards the degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes under sunlight, and it was observed that the  photo-degradation of methylene blue (99.99%) and methyl orange (80.73%) within 160 min is higher in the presence of TiO2 NPs-cellulose composite than TiO2 NPs. The adsorption capabilities of TiO2 NPs-cellulose composite towards Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cr3+ toxic metal ions were also examined, and it was found  44.73 mg. g−1 (89.46%), 38.82  mg. g−1 (77.65%), and 4.42  mg. g−1 (8.85%), respectively. Removal of pollutants from textile industrial effluent were also investigated using TiO2 NPs-cellulose composite under sun light. The results obtained were very promising which shows potential of TiO2 NPs-cellulose composite as an efficient photocatalyst and absorbent for real time applications.Graphica...
Source: Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research