Synergistic adsorption–photocatalysis of activated carbon/titanium dioxide composite derived from rice husk ash under ultraviolet-C irradiation

Bang-Tam Thi Dao; Do Trung  NGUYEN; Nhien Hon  LE; Chi-Nhan  HA-THUC

doi:10.55713/jmmm.v36i3.2597

Authors

Bang-Tam Thi Dao Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Do Trung NGUYEN Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Nhien Hon LE Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Chi-Nhan HA-THUC Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55713/jmmm.v36i3.2597

Keywords:

Activated carbon, Rice husk ash, Titanium dioxide, Dye degradation, Water treatment

Abstract

Rice husk ash (RHA), an abundant biomass residue, was employed as a sustainable precursor for synthesizing activated carbon (AC) and its TiO₂-based photocatalyst composite. AC was produced via ultrasonication-assisted NaOH activation of KOH-impregnated biochar, yielding a highly porous material with a large surface area. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized from titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) and subsequently immobilized onto AC to form the AC/TiO₂ composite. Structural and textural analyses (XRD, FT-IR, BET, SEM–EDS) confirmed the presence of anatase TiO₂ uniformly distributed within the AC framework while preserving its porous architecture. The photocatalytic activity of the composite was assessed using Basic Blue 3 (BB3) as a model dye under UVC irradiation. Whereas pristine AC removed ~85% of BB3 primarily through adsorption, the AC/TiO₂ composite achieved up to 98% removal within 120 min due to the synergistic contribution of adsorption and photocatalysis. GC–MS analysis revealed that AC/TiO₂ not only decolorized the dye but also induced extensive molecular fragmentation, including cleavage of azo bonds and aromatic ring opening, confirming genuine photo-catalytic degradation beyond surface adsorption. Overall, the biomass-derived AC/TiO₂ composite demonstrates strong potential as an efficient and sustainable photocatalyst for dye-contaminated waste-water treatment.

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