Preparation of TiO₂ Decorated Eggshell Membrane for Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

Abstract

Pristine ESM was impregnated with TiO2 using the wet chemical method and subsequently calcined at 700 °C. All prepared samples were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV-visible Spectrometer. FESEM images indicate the presence of a fibrous network that introduces useful adsorptive and photocatalytic properties for organic pollutants removal from water. The XRD result indicated that the TiO2 nano-composite contained only anatase and rutile phase. Photocatalytic results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 increased under visible light irradiation in the presence of the carbonized eggshell membrane. It is found that TiO2-CESM produced the highest photocatalytic degradation of 93 % within 5 hours of irradiation time.