Development of Material Nanocellulose/TiO2 Composites for Photocatalytic Degradation of Paracetamol in Aqueous Medium

Abstract

Development of material nanocellulose/TiO₂ composites for photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol in aqueous medium has been studied. Raw material for the synthesis of nanocellulose (NC) was empty palm oil bunches (EPOB).  The effects of TiO₂ loading on the synthesis of NC/TiO₂ composites (NCT) as photocatalyst and the photocatalyst concentration on photodegradation of paracetamol were carefully examined. The rod-shaped nanocellulose structures was obtained based on TEM analysis. Additionally, nanocellulose has been successfully composited with TiO₂, as corroborated XRD and FTIR analysis. The composite sample with TiO₂ loading of 70% on nanocellulose (30% NC/TiO₂) via sonication method evidently was outperformed other samples in photodegraded solutions containing 15 ppm of paracetamol, 2 g/L of photocatalyst for 4 hours until it meets the lowest concentration (1.43 ppm).