Sains Malaysiana 53(5)(2024): 1133-1147

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5305-13

Efficient Removal of Pb(II) Ion using TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ Nanocomposite from Aqueous Solutions via Adsorption-Photocatalysis Process

(Penyingkiran Cekap Ion Pb(II) menggunakan Nanokomposit TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ daripada Larutan Akua melalui Proses Penjerapan-Fotokatalisis)

DADAN HADIAN^1,2, ANITA ALNI³, AEP PATAH⁴, NURRAHMI HANDAYANI^1,5 & MUHAMMAD ALI ZULFIKAR^1,*

¹Analytical Chemistry Research Group, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia

²Center for Ceramics, Ministry of the Industry Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia

³Organic Chemistry Research Group, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia

⁴Inorganic and Physical Research Group, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia

⁵Research Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia

Received: 14 November 2023/Accepted: 20 March 2024

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the usage of a TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ (TZS) composite prepared via a 24-h hydrothermal process at 180° C to remove Pb(II) through adsorption-photocatalysis. Pb(II) exposure has known health risks, making this study significant. The research explores the impact of pH, the nanocomposite quantity, and contact time in the process. Adsorption-photocatalysis was carried out in the dark for 60 min, followed by irradiation with a 160-watt mercury lamp. The adsorption process of Pb(II) ion removal adhered to the pseudo-second-order model regarding kinetics, while the adsorption isotherm corresponded to the Freundlich isotherm. Additionally, the assessment of photocatalysis kinetics showed that the removal of Pb(II) ions followed a pseudo-first-order model, resulting in a 99.58% elimination of Pb(II) ions. Post-adsorption-photocatalytic treatment, a yellowish precipitate was observed. The XRD pattern result of the yellowish precipitate confirmed the presence of PbO as the formed Pb phase. The study concludes that the TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ nanocomposite as adsorbent-photocatalyst is a highly effective, efficient, and promising method to remove Pb(II) contamination from aqueous solutions.

Keywords: Adsorption-photocatalytic; removal Pb(II) ion; TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ composite

Abstrak

Penyelidikan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji penggunaan nanokomposit TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ (TZS) yang disediakan melalui proses hidrotermal selama 24 jam pada suhu 180 °C untuk menyingkirkan Pb(II) melalui penjerapan-fotokatalisis. Pendedahan Pb(II) diketahui membawa risiko kesihatan, menjadikan kajian ini penting. Penyelidikan ini meneroka impak pH, kuantiti nanokomposit dan masa sentuhan dalam proses tersebut. Penjerapan-fotokatalisis dilakukan dalam gelap selama 60 minit, diikuti oleh penyinaran dengan lampu merkuri 160 watt. Proses penjerapan pengeluaran ion Pb(II) menurut model kinetik pseudo-tertib kedua, manakala isoterma penjerapan sejajar dengan isoterma Freundlich. Tambahan pula, penilaian kinetik fotokatalisis menunjukkan bahawa penyingkiran ion Pb(II) mengikuti model pseudo-tertib pertama, menghasilkan penghapusan ion Pb(II) sebanyak 99.58%. Selepas rawatan penjerapan-fotokatalisis, endapan kuning diperhatikan. Hasil corak XRD bagi endapan kekuningan mengesahkan kehadiran PbO sebagai fasa Pb yang terbentuk. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa penjerap-fotokatalis nanokomposit TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂ adalah kaedah yang sangat berkesan, cekap dan berpotensi untuk menyingkirkan pencemaran Pb(II) daripada larutan akua.

Kata kunci: Komposit TiO₂/ZnO/SiO₂; penjerapan-fotokatalitik; penyingkiran ion Pb(II)

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*Corresponding author: email: zulfikar@chem.itb.ac.id