article · Results in Engineering
Untreated dye pollution in industrial effluent poses severe risks to human health and natural ecosystems. To address this, a titanium dioxide and biochar composite, termed TBC-1, was synthesized using the sol-gel method to act as a photocatalyst for degrading Eriochrome Black T dye in water under ultraviolet light. Combining biochar with titanium dioxide doubled the material surface area to 78 square metres per gram and reduced its band gap to 2.69 electron volts. Process parameters were systematically evaluated using response surface methodology, testing variations in solution acidity, dye concentration, catalyst load, and exposure duration. Under optimal operational settings, the composite achieved 99.14 percent dye decolorisation and 93.7 percent mineralization within 124 minutes, demonstrating an effective approach for wastewater decontamination.
Discharging untreated synthetic dyes into waterways threatens public health and damages aquatic environments. This research presents a biochar-supported catalyst that effectively breaks down toxic dye pollutants into harmless components under ultraviolet light. Using such composites provides a practical pathway towards cleaner, more sustainable industrial effluent management.
This work is relevant to wastewater treatment providers and industrial facilities seeking to treat dye-bearing effluent. The research remains at an early, laboratory-tested stage, having established optimum degradation parameters for a single target dye in aqueous solution under controlled ultraviolet irradiation. Further scale-up and testing in complex real-world effluents are required before practical deployment.
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• TiO 2 -biochar composite synthesized via sol-gel method for photocatalytic degradation. • Optimal Eriochrome Black T removal of 99.14 % achieved under UV irradiation. • Key parameters: pH 3, catalyst dose 1.48 g/L, dye concentration 32 mg/L. • Surface area increased from 38 m²/g to 78 m²/g, enhancing photocatalytic efficiency. • TBC-1 composite shows promise for sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. The untreated release of dye-contaminated effluents into water bodies presents serious threats to both environmental and public health. Efficient dye removal methods are critical for preventing pollution and safeguarding ecosystems. This study aims to optimize the photocatalytic degradation of Eriochrome Black T dye in aqueous solutions using a novel composite of TiO 2 and biochar (BC) as a photocatalyst under UV irradiation. The TiO 2 -BC composite (TBC-1) was synthesized via the sol-gel method and characterized using X-ray diffraction, BET surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The synthesis resulted in an anatase phase crystal structure, a reduced band gap of 2.69 eV, and a significant surface area increase from 38 m²/g to 78 m²/g. The photocatalytic performance was optimized under UV light using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD). Key variables, including initial pH (3–11), dye concentration (10–50 mg/L), photocatalyst dosage (0.5–2.5 g/L), and irradiation time (30–150 min), were assessed. An optimal decolorization efficiency of 99.14 % and a mineralization efficiency of 93.7 % were achieved at pH 3, 32 mg/L dye concentration, 1.48 g/L catalyst dosage, and 124 min irradiation time. These findings highlight the potential of the TBC-1 composite as an effective and sustainable solution for water and wastewater treatment applications, contributing to improved environmental management practices.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104036
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