Investigation study of methyl violet photodegradation over alginate-carboxymethyl cellulose/titanium(IV) oxide/covalent organic frameworks bio-nanocomposite beads under ultraviolet irradiation.

ABSTRACT

Concerned about water treatment, it is of great importance to present new approaches for improving photocatalytic activity. Since photocatalysis is ubiquitous in almost all chemical manufacturing processes, the development of photocatalytic systems carries significance for our environment. In this regard, three different amounts of covalent organic frameworks decorated with titanium(IV) oxide nanoparticles (TiO2/COF hybrids) in Alginate-Carboxymethyl cellulose (Alg-CMC) blend matrix were prepared under ultrasound irradiation, which Citric acid and Calcium chloride acted as two green cross-linkages. Based on the physio-chemical analyses of these bio-nanocomposite (bio-NC) beads, the Alg-CMC blend polymer appeared to be the best candidate for a disparity of TiO2/COF hybrids. Not only did COF aid to increase the distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles, but it declined the bandgap energies. The resultant Alg-CMC/TiO2/COF (TiO2/COF = 156) bio-NC beads demonstrated efficient photodegradation activity towards Methyl violet (MV) under Ultraviolet light. The obtained results of scavenger studies indicated that superoxide radicals and electron agents played a major role in MV degradation. Further investigation confirmed that single oxygen addition and N-de-methylation could be two important pathways for the decomposition of MV by these bio-NC beads.