Optical Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Lignocellulose Modified TiO 2

This paper reports the photo-catalytic activity and stability of Lignocellulose/TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated through using the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) as a testing model reaction under visible light irradiation (λmax > 420nm). The modified (NPs) (pH = 6.94 - 6.97) photocatalyst material was dried for 24 hours at the temperature of 80°C and calcinated at 400°C for 2 hours through constant air flow. The degradation of MB was performed using 250 Watt xenon lamp within every 30 minute time interval followed by measuring the absorbance. The maximum characterstic absorption peak of MB solution was observed at (λmax ~ 664nm) and the absorbance of this peak approaches to a minimum value and the degradation efficiency become effective after illumination for 150 minute. Optimized parametric conditions like pH ≈ 6, initial concentration (C o= 6 ppm), time = 120 min and catalyst loading (160 mg) results were examined to improve the degradation efficiency (> 95%).