Fe-TiO2/AC and Co-TiO2/AC Composites: Novel Photocatalysts Prepared from Waste Streams for the Efficient Removal and Photocatalytic Degradation of Cibacron Yellow F-4G Dye

Fe-TiO2/AC and Co-TiO2/AC composites were prepared from activated carbon (AC) derived from residues of peanut hulls and TiO2 photocatalyst, electrochemically prepared from titanium scrap, and doped with Fe and Co, respectively. The adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity of the Fe-TiO2/AC and Co-TiO2/AC composites were studied for removing and degrading Cibacron Yellow F-4G (CYF-4G) from wastewater. Doped ACs were characterized by thermogravimetry (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), a new X-ray absorption technique (XRA), and elemental analysis (EA). Interesting relationships were found between SEM, XRA, and TGA data and the doped amount of catalyst on ACs. Optimal dye adsorption was found at a pH of 2.0. The CYF-4G adsorption kinetics are followed according to the pseudo-second order model. The experimental data revealed that the Langmuir model fits better than the Freundlich and Temkin models. A decrease in adsorption capacity was observed when the catalyst dope percentage increased. A removal and degradation efficiency of the dye close to 100% was achieved around 120 min. A synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic degradation effect of the Fe-TiO2/AC and Co-TiO2/AC composites could be observed when adsorption experiments were conducted under simulated visible radiation.

Automated summary

Fe-TiO2/AC and Co-TiO2/AC composites doped with Fe and Co were prepared using AC derived from peanut hull residues and TiO2 photocatalysts electrochemically prepared from titanium scrap. The optimal pH for dye adsorption was found to be 2.0, with adsorption kinetics following a pseudo-second order model. The Langmuir model was observed to fit better than the Freundlich and Temkin models, and a decrease in adsorption capacity was observed with an increase in catalyst dope percentage. A high removal and degradation efficiency close to 100% was achieved after approximately 120 minutes, demonstrating a synergistic effect between adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of the composites under simulated visible radiation.