Preparation and characterization of titania nanoparticle produced from Ti-flocculated sludge with paper mill wastewater

Sludge disposal after flocculation with paper mill wastewater is one of the most costly and environmentally problematic challenges. In this study, an effective sludge recycling process was proposed using Ti-salt coagulant instead of the currently used Fe-salt. Paper mill wastewater flocculation using TiCl4 and FeCl3 coagulants was investigated for organic removal and precipitation efficiency. A large amount of titania nanoparticle was produced after incineration of sludge of Ti-salt flocculation in paper mill wastewater. The titania nanoparticle was characterized in terms of physical and chemical properties. Results showed that the removal efficiency of organic matter at the optimum concentrations of Ti- and Fe-salt was 69% and 65%, respectively. The removal of turbidity was 99%. Titania recovered from 600 °C incineration of the settled sludge consisted of the anatase titania structure. The titania from printing paper mill wastewater showed irregularly aggregated structures with round shape of dimension of 10–15 nm as a primary crystal growth. Various dopant materials were found to be carbon (4.3%), magnesium (0.9%), aluminium (1.9%), silicon (1.7%), sulphur (0.7%) and calcium (3.8%). 60% of acetaldehyde concentration under UV irradiation was removed with the titania nanoparticles produced from the printing paper mill wastewater.