3D-Printed Sr-doped TiO2 / biowaste / polymeric structures for mitigating dye contamination in water
Manasbodin Asava-arunotai, Thura Lin Htet, Ampika Bansiddhi, Amornrat Lertworasirikul, Krissada Surawathanawises, Tanyakorn Muangnapoh, Bhuvaneswari Kandasamy, Pinit Kidkhunthod, Gasidit Panomsuwan, Oratai Jongprateep
Abstract
Wastewater laden with synthetic dyes from the textile industry poses a threat to natural water sources, the environment, and human health, contravening Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing this challenge requires innovative solutions focusing on contaminant removal in wastewater treatment . This study explored the application of 3D-printed polymeric structure incorporating Sr doped TiO 2 and biowastes as photocatalysts and adsorbents to eliminate Methylene Blue (MB) from water. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified that the Sr doped TiO 2 powder synthesized by solution combustion technique predominantly exhibited the anatase phase. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that the average particle sizes for TiO 2 doped with 1 mol% and 5 mol% Sr were 19.45±2.6 nm and 10.32±1.9 nm, respectively. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis determined the specific surface area as follows: 1 mol% Sr doped TiO 2 at 39.7 m²/g, 5 mol% Sr doped TiO 2 at 86.8 m²/g, SiO 2 from sugarcane leaves at 168.2 m²/g, and bagasse ash at 8.5 m²/g. Over 24 hr in the dark, the 3D polymeric structure and the one incorporating Sr doped TiO 2 /bagasse ash absorbed approximately 48 % of the MB dye. For the structure containing Sr doped TiO 2 /silica from sugarcane leaves, a 66 % dye adsorption was observed. Exposure to UV light for 8 hr further enhanced dye removal in the Sr doped TiO 2 /silica/polymeric structure, surpassing 84 %. Reusability experiments over 10 cycles demonstrated the structures' stable performance, with dye degradation efficiency consistently exceeding 70 %, and statistical analysis confirming no significant decline in efficiency across cycles. This study underscores the efficacy of 3D-printed Sr doped TiO 2 /biowaste/polymeric structures as a promising technology for mitigating water pollution, providing a viable solution to the environmental and health challenges arising from dye-contaminated wastewater in the textile industry.