article · Materials Today Communications
This study investigated a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and Chalaltu soil composite for removing total organic carbon (TOC) from Awash River water. The composite was synthesised and thoroughly characterised, confirming its formation and revealing beneficial optical properties, including a reduced band-gap energy and suppressed electron–hole recombination. Experiments showed that the composite achieved a 91.1% TOC removal efficiency under optimal conditions, attributed to improved light absorption, efficient charge-carrier separation, and adsorption by the soil. Reactive species trapping identified hydroxyl radicals and photogenerated holes as key to degradation. The catalyst demonstrated good reusability over four cycles, maintaining significant activity. These laboratory-scale findings suggest its potential for water treatment, though further validation is required.
This research offers a potential solution for purifying river water by removing organic pollutants using a cost-effective, soil-based composite. Improving water quality is crucial for public health and environmental sustainability, especially in regions relying on surface water sources. This approach could contribute to developing more efficient and accessible water treatment technologies.
This early-stage research demonstrates a potential application for water purification, specifically targeting total organic carbon removal from river water. The composite catalyst could be used in advanced oxidation water treatment systems. Potential users include water treatment plants or organisations focused on environmental remediation. However, the abstract indicates that pilot-scale validation and long-term stability assessments are still necessary before real-world implementation.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
This study evaluated the photocatalytic performance of a TiO₂–Chalaltu soil composite for total organic carbon (TOC) removal from Awash River water collected at the Koka Water Treatment Plant in Ethiopia. The composite was synthesized and characterized using XRD, XRF, FTIR, SEM, BET, UV–Vis, PL spectroscopy, and Tauc plot analysis. Characterization confirmed successful composite formation and revealed favorable optical properties, including a reduced band-gap energy of 2.34 eV and suppressed electron–hole recombination. Photocatalytic performance was assessed across varying catalyst compositions, dosages, pH levels, and irradiation times. The highest TOC removal efficiency (91.1%) was achieved at a TiO₂:Chalaltu soil ratio of 50:50, a catalyst dosage of 100 mg/L, pH 5, and a 100-min irradiation time. Reactive-species trapping experiments indicated that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and photogenerated holes (h⁺) played major roles in TOC degradation. The enhanced performance was attributed to improved light absorption, efficient charge-carrier separation, and adsorption by the mineral-rich soil matrix. Reusability tests showed that the catalyst retained considerable activity over four cycles, with TOC removal decreasing from 91.1% to 79.8%. These laboratory-scale results demonstrate the composite's potential for TOC removal, although pilot-scale validation and long-term stability assessment remain necessary.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.116103
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
