Elaboration and characterization of photobiocomposite beads, based on titanium (IV) oxide and sodium alginate biopolymer, for basic blue 41 adsorption/photocatalytic degradation.

This study provides the preparation and profound characterization of an eco-friendly photobiocomposite beads named, titanium (IV) oxide/calcium alginate (TiO2/CaAlg), and the examination of their effectiveness for Basic Blue 41 (BB 41) adsorption/ photocatalytic degradation using sunlight like a renewable energy source. Chemical and physical characteristics of pure TiO2, pure CaAlg and TiO2/CaAlg beads were investigated using; X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR), X-Ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), thermogravimetry (TGA) derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Kinetic and isotherm models were evaluated using the non-linear model fitting analysis method. Effect of experimental parameters such as solution initial pH, BB 41 initial concentration, photobiocomposite dose on the BB 41 adsorption/photocatalytic degradation was investigated. Recycling capacity of TiO2/CaAlg photobiocomposite beads was tested. Results show that TiO2/CaAlg photobiocomposite is promising material for the BB 41 adsorption/photocatalytic degradation.

Optimization of a novel biocomposite synthesis (Ammi Visnaga extraction waste/alginate) for Cd(2+) biosorption.

A novel environmentally friendly biocomposite namely calcium alginate immobilized Ammi Visnaga (Khella) extraction waste was prepared by electrostatic extrusion method. A full factorial design 2(3) was used to optimize the beads preparation conditions. The effect of sodium alginate concentration (X1), biomass concentration (X2) and cross-linker concentration (X3) on the Cd(2+) removal efficiency was examined in a batch system with a fixed biocomposite dose of 1g/L. Using the experimental results, a linear mathematical model representing the influence of different variables and their interactions was obtained. The optimized values of X1, X2 and X3 were found to be 4.35%, 2.5% and 1.99% respectively. The biocomposite beads were characterized by ATR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy for the surface morphology and optical microscopic for the particles size measurements.