"PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TiO2-CHITOSAN COMPOSITE FILMS AND APPLICATION FOR TARTRAZINE DYE DEGRADATION "

Abstract

The aim of this work was to synthesize nanocomposite membranes based on chitosan (CS) biopolymer containing TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-Chitosan). The developed membranes were fully featured using different characterization techniques (SEM, TGA, XRD, FTIR and contact angle measurement). The photocatalytic activity of the fabricated membranes was evaluated by performing experiments in which aqueous solutions of tartrazine dye that contained the fabricated membrane were irradiated with solar light. The photodegradation percentage was spectrophotometrically determined by monitoring the maximum wavelengths (λmax) of tartrazine at 427 nm for different irradiation times. The decolourisation percentage of the dye under solar light was 83% using the TiO2-Chitosan membrane. The effective reusability and stability of the produced nanocomposite (TiO2-Chitosan) films was also assessed. After four use cycles, this efficiency remained practically constant, demonstrating the membranes’ reusability and suitability for catalytic activity in tartrazine removal from water.