Performance of free standing TiO2 nanostructures (FSTNS) photocatalysis for batik industry wastewater treatment

Abstract In this work, the effectiveness and reusability of free standing TiO2 nanostructures (FSTNS) for batik industry wastewater treatment were investigated. The FSTNS photocatalyst were prepared via hydrothermal process at 180°C for 18 hours in the presence of acetone (5% v/v) as oxidation agent. Batik industry wastewater used in this study were analysed prior the photocatalysis, thus contained organic pollutants including dyes and phenolic compound with chemical oxygen demand (COD) 303.7 mg/L; total phenol 0.8 mg/L and measured pH 5.84. The results show FSTNS is able to degrade the majority of dyes which leads to the reduction of COD value up to 56,7 mg/L, total phenol to 0.3 mg/L and acidity level to 7.15. It is also found out that the effectiveness of FSTNS reduce less than 20% after it is reuse in three times cycles, confirming its fair reusability as photocatalyst for batik wastewater treatment.