Production of propolis/TiO2 (P-TiO2) nano composites for degradation of food dyes

Abstract

Aim of this study is to produce highly active hybrid propolis-TiO2 nanocomposites using sol-gel method and to use it remediation of food industry waste. Propolis solution was prepared in ethanol and added to sol-gel mixture at increasing volume (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 mL) to prepare propolis-TiO2 (P-TiO2) hybrid catalyst. Neat TiO2 was also prepared by the same sol-gel technique and its action was compared to propolis doped ones. Catalysts were calcinated at 300 oC to obtain desired anatase form. After production the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR. Sunset Yellow (SY), Allura red (AR) and Tartrazine (TT) were used as model compounds ([C]0=10 mgL-1, catalyst mass=1 gL-1) . Concentration of dyes were monitored by UV-vis spectrometry. P-TiO2 catalyst prepared with 1.00 mL propolis solution was extremely effective for removal of all dyes studies for both 254 nm and 365 nm light exposure. LED light exposure provided lower removal rate (approx.. 25%) but it was still significant for dye removal.