Sodium alginate-TiO₂-bentonite nanocomposite synthesis for photocatalysis of methylene blue dye removal

In this study, nanocomposite based on biopolymer using sodium alginate (NaAlg) and bentonite intercalated by TiO₂ was synthesized. Bentonite in the nanocomposite was used as a template for TiO₂ nanoparticles formation through in-situ method and NaAlg was used as catalyst supporter in order to obtain nanocomposite material, which was expected as dye waste removal. The nanocomposite was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) and Tunneling Electron Microscopy (TEM). The obtained nanocomposite had TiO₂ average nanoparticles size around 35 nm. Nanocomposite was applied for photocatalysis to remove the dye waste of methylene blue (MB). Degradation percentage was achieved at 90.50 % with the optimum condition at pH 8 with photocatalysis time at 30 min and 30 mg nanocomposite mass. Biopolymer-based sodium alginate and TiO₂-bentonite nanocomposite can be applied to reduce dyestuff that is biodegradable and environmentally friendly waste.