Title : Enhanced Removal of Methyl Orange from Aqueous Solutions by Sucrose-Based Reticulated Vitreous Carbon Modified with N-Doped TiO2
Abstract:
The Reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC) foam underwent N-TiO2 coating to achieve the RVC/N-TiO2 composite. This foam was developed to remove azo dyes from textile wastewater. The RVC was fabricated using the sacrificial template method, employing a 30 ppi (pores per inch) polyurethane foam immersed in a low-cost sucrose resin. Synthesis of N-TiO2 occurred via the sol-gel method, utilizing triethylamine as a precursor for nitrogen doping in TiO2. The RVC/N-TiO2 composite demonstrated significant potential in simultaneous adsorption and photocatalysis for the efficient removal (>95%) of methyl orange (MO). SEM- EDS analysis confirmed the honeycomb structure of RVC/N-TiO2. While Raman spectroscopy, EDS, XPS, and FTIR analyses provided evidence of the foam's graphitization degree, the formation of anatase and rutile phases in TiO2, and the presence of functional groups, effectively highlighting the synergy between RVC and N-TiO2. Electrochemical tests, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), open circuit potential (OCP), and chronoamperometry, demonstrated the occurrence of oxide reduction reactions, thereby enhancing the material's adsorptive capacity in the absence of light and facilitating semiconductor activation under visible light. These findings unequivocally support the notion that nitrogen doping improves the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 under visible light. The adsorption isotherms revealed the adherence of the RVC/N-TiO2 composite to both the Freundlich model and the pseudo-second-order model, indicating multilayer adsorption on the foam, contingent upon the concentration of the medium and the active sites of the material. Furthermore, the governing mechanism was the electrostatic forces resulting from the interaction between the MO solution and the RVC/N-TiO2 foam. Lastly, the RVC/N-TiO2 foam's reusability was validated through more than three cycles of adsorption/desorption and adsorption/photocatalysis, thus establishing its potential for the remediation of contaminated water.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- The RVC/N-TiO2 research focuses on using RVC from an environmental perspective. The synthesis method simplifies the production of the resin used in the project by using low-cost sucrose instead of toxic substances like phenol or formaldehyde. This not only reduces environmental impact but also makes the process more sustainable
- To combining RVC with N-TiO2, the research explores a dual-component system of adsorption and photocatalysis simultaneously for to remove pollutants. This opens new possibilities for the development of hybrid materials without sacrificing the individual strengths of each component
- The research focuses on understanding how RVC/N-TiO2 can effectively remove azo dyes from wastewater by studying the adsorption and photocatalysis mechanisms involved. By gaining insights into these processes, we can improve our understanding of how pollutants interact with new materials and develop more efficient treatment methods
