TiO2 Nanoparticles as Bifunctional Adsorbent/Photocatalyst for Degradation of Effluent from Local Dairy in Telangana

Abstract

Contamination of precious life sources with industrial waste including dairy effluent is an increasing concern worldwide. Over the past few years, titanium dioxide nanoparticles have drawn worldwide attention as an efficient photocatalyst and adsorbent for wastewater treatment. The current study refers to the potential of nitrogen doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles as an adsorbent and photocatalyst to purify wastewater from the local dairy to meet the quality of wastewater discharged into public sewers. The Nitrogen doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) Nano Materials were prepared by sol-gel technique and calcined at various temperatures. Characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD and FTIR were performed and Zeta potential was estimated. Efficiency of degradation as applied to dairy effluent has been examined varying the parameters such as time of exposure and dose of nanoparticles along with solution pH variation monitored during study. A good reduction in COD of about 99 % was observed after treatment under visible light. It is observed that calcining temperature affects activity of TiO2 nano particles. Furthermore, statistical analysis that represent experimental response as a function of independent parameters as well as analyse the interaction between the parameters was successfully employed. The results showed that TiO2 nanoparticles can be employed as adsorbents for the treatment of dairy waste water. Keywords: Adsorbent, Chemical oxygen demand, Dairy effluent, Doping, nanoparticles, TiO2