Multiphased Carbonaceous Periwinkle Shell and Styrofoam Nanocomposites For Toxic Contaminants Treatment

This study reported a multiphased nanocomposite based on the carbonaceous periwinkle shell (CPS) and styrofoam (C8H8) decorated with titanium dioxide (TiO2). A sol-gel protocol at mild conditions was adopted to synthesize the multiphased photocatalyst known as (CPS/C8H8/TiO2) for the photodegradation of toxic methylene blue dye. All the synthesized multiphased nano photocatalysts were characterized and investigated by a high-resolution transmission electron microscope, Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray, x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. The x-ray diffractogram confirmed a successful synthesis of multiphased photocatalyst while the high-resolution transmission electron microscope showed the nano aggregates and nano-dispersion of titanium dioxide. The multiphased roughness of the composites was detected by atomic force microscopy which verified the electron trapping ability. In contrast, the scanning electron microscope˗energy dispersive x-ray analyses showed homogenous structure and spatial aggregation enabling efficient utilization of electrons. Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance confirmed a blue shift having a bandgap of 2.8 ev within 300-400 nm. An optimum 99% photodegradation of methylene blue dyes (20 mg/L) was obtained at 100 mL for 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% at a 278-min irradiation time. The experimental findings are a promising approach to developing a cheap and stable multiphased nanocomposite with promising abilities for dye wastewater effluent treatments