Synthesis and Photocatlytic Application of Drinking Water Treatment Sludge @ TiO2 Composite for Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye

Sludge/TiO2 composite was synthesized from drinking water treatment sludge, as a waste material and TiO2 , by a sol- gel method. Various sludge adsorbent / TiO2 ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 w/w) were prepared, and characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and BET. The prepared composites were applied successfully for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye from a solution. The photocatalytic degradation of MB dye was investigated using UV irradiation, or UV/H2O2. Initial dye concentration, solution pH, composite dosage, and UV irradiation time were applied to study the optimum conditions for MB degradation. The results revealed the highest MB dye degradation with composite (2:1). It was found that the maximum MB degradation efficiency was at pH=7, 4 h irradiation time, 0.125 g composite dose, and 50 ppm initial dye concentration. MB removal efficiency was 95.7% using UV irradiation, and 99.8% of that using UV/ H2O2. The rate of MB dye degradation followed the first order kinetics. Results from this study offer the best conditions for recycling drinking water treatment sludge, and use it for wastewater treatment.