(Immobilization of Ag/TiO2 Nanoparticles of Beko Extract on Photocatalytic Membranes Polyacrylonitrile(PAN) for Methylene Blue Dye Removal); [Imobilisasi Nanozarah Ag/TiO2 Ekstrak Beko pada Membran Fotomangkin Poliakrilonitril(PAN) untuk Penyingkiran Pewarna Metilena Biru]

• Published in: Sains Malaysiana
• Main Author: Othaman R.; Syed Othman S.E.Q.; Jon N.; Ghazali Z.; Mohd Yusoff M.F.; Kamarudin D.
• Format: Article
• Language: Malay
• Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85200551911&doi=10.17576%2fjsm-2024-5307-12&partnerID=40&md5=9b9e5a3401ac7b1bf8cb261130b78529

The presence of methylene blue (MB) dye in aquatic environments poses an environmental threat that has become a global issue. The complex aromatic structure, hydrophilic properties, and stability of MB make it difficult to remove using conventional water treatment processes. Photocatalytic methods using nanoparticles like TiO2 and ZnO2 can degrade MB. However, the drawbacks of TiO2 as a photocatalyst include a large energy band gap requiring high energy such as ultraviolet radiation, the recombination of electron-hole pairs leading to reduced photoactivity, and the difficulty in using it in powder form. In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles were modified with silver (Ag) and immobilized onto a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane to treat MB under visible light. The Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized through a green synthesis method using Beko leaf (Oroxylum indicum) extract, which acts as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The resulting photocatalyst was immobilized on the surface of the PAN membrane using a dip-coating method at different solution concentrations (0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 g/L). The effects of adding Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst on the physicochemical properties and morphology of the membrane were characterized. The efficiency of degrading MB samples was evaluated through the photodegradation of MB dye under optimal conditions under visible light. XRD diffractogram indicated that the TiO2 nanoparticle structure was in the anatase phase and suitable as a photocatalyst. PAN membrane dipped in 1.0 g/L Ag/TiO2 solution showed the highest MB photodegradation percentage of 74.52% with a membrane band gap energy of 2.19 eV. It can be concluded that Ag/TiO2-coated PAN membrane is an effective approach for removing MB under visible light. This study contributes to future water treatment technology due to its environmentally friendly synthesis method and more effective water treatment. © 2024 Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.