Immobilization of TiO2 Semiconductor Nanoparticles onto Posidonia Oceanica Fibers for Photocatalytic Phenol Degradation

Abstract

A new composite photocatalyst called POF/TiO2 was prepared from commercial P25 TiO2 and Posidonia oceanica fibers (POF), a biomaterial collected from Tunisia’s beach. The composite material was prepared by a classical sol-gel synthesis and was characterized by different methods. SEM images show a TiO2 layer formed on top of the fibers, which was verified by XRD and XPS. Diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy shows that the layer has the same optical properties (Eg = 3.0 eV) as bulk P25. The photodegradation of phenol as a model compound was studied under different operating conditions using POF/TiO2 and the results show degradation efficiencies between 4% (100 ppm) and 100% (<25 ppm) after 4 h of UV-C light irradiation (254 nm) using a POF/TiO2 concentration of about 1 g/L. The composite material showed good stability and could be recycled up to three times.

Degradation of Phenol via an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) with Immobilized Commercial Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Photocatalysts

“…The stronger UV light leads to a higher concentration of hydroxyl radicals that accelerates the fragmentation step. The better performance of the UVC lamp for phenol degradation, even at a lower intensity, was also shown by Morjène et al [ 50 ]. However, the difference in the performance between the 365 nm UV-LED and the UVC lamp was low so that, for the TiO 2 /H 2 O 2 /UV system, 365 nm is already appropriate to achieve full degradation and good mineralization.…”

“…It should be mentioned that the costs of sunlight irradiation were calculated considering a similar photocatalytic performance as that of the 365 nm UV-LED. Morjène et al [ 50 ] investigated the impact of the light source in the absence of H 2 O 2 , and the performance of a solar simulator was about half the performance of a UVC lamp, which was close to our 365 nm UV-LED. Therefore, the assumption is quite justified, and similar results should be obtained within 3 h of irradiation with sunlight.…”

Degradation of Organic Methyl Orange (MO) Dye Using a Photocatalyzed Non-Ferrous Fenton Reaction

“…Romanos et al modified commercial P25 with well-dispersed Cu nanoparticles, and the system was found to degrade 50% of 12 ppm initial dye after exposure to UV light in the 350–390 nm range for 3 h [ 69 ]. In another process, a bulk P25 composite using Posidonia oceanica fibers showed 100% degradation of phenol after 4 h of UV light irradiation [ 70 ]. It is noteworthy that the annTNT–H 2 O 2 system outperforms commercial P25 in this study.…”

TiO2 Nanocoatings on Natural Fibers by DC Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

“…From these, glass substrates [9,10], glass spheres [11], fiberglass [12], activated carbon, zeolite, and ceramics [13] stainless steel [14] and polyamide fibers [15], can be emphasized. Moreover, photocatalytic fiber is an emerging solution to immobilize catalyst powders [16,17]. The natural fibers are nowadays preferable due to their multiple advantages in terms of environmental sustainability.…”