Lignin-derived carbon and activated carbon nanocomposites with TiO2 as enhanced photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2024-08, Vol.26 (8), p.191, Article 191
• Main Authors: Montazeri, Reza, Barbari, Zeinab, Hosseini-Monfared, Hassan, Mohammadi, Yasaman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Biomass; Black liquor; Carbon; Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Charge efficiency; Charge materials; Charge transfer; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electrons; Ferric chloride; Health risks; Industrial pollution; Industrial wastes; Inorganic Chemistry; Kraft pulp; Lasers; Lignin; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photodegradation; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Pulp wastes; Radiation dosage; Sol-gel processes; Titanium dioxide; Ultraviolet radiation; Waste disposal; Waste treatment; Wastewater treatment; Water pollution; Water treatment
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-024-06106-z

This study focused on developing a highly efficient carbon-TiO 2 photocatalyst for wastewater treatment using renewable carbon from lignin. Nanocomposites that consist of TiO 2 and carbon material are commonly utilized as photocatalysts due to their ability to combine the exceptional UV photocatalytic efficiency of TiO 2 with the added advantages of improved electron/hole separation and reduced resistance for charge transfer facilitated by carbon. The utilization of biomass waste for wastewater treatment presents an exciting challenge as it not only reduces environmental and health risks associated with industrial waste disposal but also remediates water contaminated with industrial dyes. The lignin, a renewable biomass, recovered from the waste black liquor of kraft pulp, was used as a templating agent for the sol–gel synthesis of porous TiO 2 /C nanocomposites. Another type of nanocomposite, TiO 2 /AC, was prepared by converting black liquor into mesoporous activated carbon (AC) using FeCl 3 under different conditions. The presence of lignin-derived carbon has enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO 2 /C and TiO 2 /AC in degrading RhB when exposed to UV radiation. The optimization of photocatalytic activity was achieved by adjusting the dosage of the activator (FeCl 3 ). Among the composites, TiO 2 /C exhibited the most superior photocatalytic activity, showing a remarkable 2.85-fold enhancement compared to pure TiO 2 . Additionally, it demonstrated the most minimal rate of recombination between excited electrons and holes.