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 (TiO/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 TiO, pure CaAlg and TiO/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 TiO/CaAlg photobiocomposite beads was tested. Results show that TiO/CaAlg photobiocomposite is promising material for the BB 41 adsorption/photocatalytic degradation.