Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 3 (2025): 1370

 

Research Article

 

Magnetic bead catalyst for photocatalytic phenol degradation in wastewater

 

Diyana Faziha Mohamad1, Muhammad Farhan Hanafi1, Norezatul Shahirah Ahmad Zamanhuri1, Siti Kamilah Che Soh2, Cecilia Devi Wilfred3, Dayang Norafizan Awang Chee4, Haniza Kahar1,*, and Norzahir Sapawe1,*

 

1Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Branch Campus Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (UniKL MICET), Lot 1988 Vendor City, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia

2Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

3Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

4Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

 

 *Corresponding author: norzahir@unikl.edu.my, hanizakahar@unikl.edu.my

 

Received: 7 October 2024; Revised: 20 April 2025; Accepted: 21 May 2025; Published: 15 June 2025

 

Abstract

Modern advances in semiconductor photocatalysis, particularly increased turnover on degradation of phenolic compounds from industrial wastewater. Phenolic compound is a major environmental threat considering their hazardous effects and recalcitrance. This study focused on the development of high efficiency magnetic bead catalyst with photocatalysis technology as a solution to phenolic compound obstacles in industrial wastewater. The magnetic bead catalyst underwent bead casting process by encapsulating a polymer matrix of sodium alginate and crosslinking it with epichlorohydrin, which enhancing its hydrophilicity, durability, rigidity, selectivity, permeability, and longevity, thereby achieving superior photocatalytic performance. Characterisation techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to analyse the structural and chemical properties of these catalyst. The photocatalytic efficiency of the magnetic bead catalyst for the degradation of phenol was assessed when subjected to visible light. A comprehensive study was conducted exploring the effects of pH, catalyst dosage, and initial phenol concentration on effectiveness of degradation. The optimal conditions for the Fe-beads catalyst were achieved at pH 5, with a dosage of 6.0 g L−1 and an initial phenol concentration of 20 mg L−1, resulting in a phenol photodegradation efficiency of 87.29%. These magnetic bead catalyst implementations for wastewater recovery were cost-effective, quick to implement, eco-friendly, and regenerable. In short, synthesising magnetic bead catalyst might pose an innovative approach towards challenges with wastewater treatment.

 

Keywords: magnetic beads catalyst, phenol, photocatalytic degradation, visible light irradiation, wastewater treatment

 

References

1.         Rashid, S., Zaid, A., Per, T. S., Nisar, B., Majeed, L. R., Rafiq, S., Wagay, N. A., Shah, N. U. D., Rather, M. A., Zulfiqar, F. and Wani, S. H. (2023). A critical review on phytoremediation of environmental contaminants in aquatic ecosystem. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, 34: 749-766.

2.         Liaquat, I., Munir, R., Abbasi, N. A., Sadia, B., Muneer, A., Younas, F., Sardar, M. F.,  Zahid, M., and Noreen, S. (2024). Exploring zeolite-based composites in adsorption and photocatalysis for toxic wastewater treatment: Preparation, mechanisms, and future perspectives. Environmental Pollution, 349: 123922.

3.         Naghan, D., Azari, A., Mirzaei, N., Velayati, A., Tapouk, F., Adabi, S.,  Pirsaheb, M. and Sharafi, K.  (2015). Parameters effecting on photocatalytic degradation of the phenol from aqueous solutions in the presence of ZnO nanocatalyst under irradiation of UV-C light. Bulgarian Chemical Contamination, 47: 14-18.

4.         Ahmadi, E., Kakavandi, B., Azari,A., Izanloo, H., Gharibi, H. and Mahvi, A. (2016). The performance of mesoporous magnetite zeolite nanocomposite in removing dimethyl phthalate from aquatic environments. Desalination Water Treatment, 57: 27768-27782.

5.         Ingole, R. S., Lataye, D. H., and Dhorabe, P. T. (2016). Adsorption of phenol onto banana peels activated carbon. Journal of Civil Engineering, 21(1): 100-110.

6.         Pulli, E., Rozzi, E. and Bella, F. (2020). Transparent photovoltaic technologies: Current trends towards upscaling. Energy Conversation Management, 219: 112982.

7.         Hanafi, M. F. and Sapawe, N. (2020) Electrosynthesis of zirconia nanoparticle catalyst with enhanced photodegradation of methyl orange. Test Engineering and Management, 83: 13610-13615.

8.         Hanafi, M. F. and Sapawe, N. (2020) Photodegradation of remazol brilliant blue dye using zirconia nanoparticle catalyst. Test Engineering and Management, 83: 13667- 13672.

9.         Hanafi, M. F., Harun, N. F. C., Sapawe, N. and Raidin, A. (2020). Electrobiosyntesis of NiO using rambutan leaves for photodegradation of remazol brilliant blue dye. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 24(2): 227-235.

10.       Hanafi, M. F., Mustafa, A. N. and Sapawe, N. (2020) Electrosynthesis of silver oxide deposited onto hotspring mud with enhanced degradation of Congo red. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 24(2), 266-275.

11.       Khairol, N. F., Sapawe, N. and Danish M. (2020). Tailoring the optical properties of zinc/copper–incorporated onto eggshell synthesized via electrochemical method. Materials Today: Proceeding,  31(1): 241-244.

12.       Deng, Y. and Zhao, R. (2015). Advance oxidation processes (AOPs) in wastewater treatment. Current Pollution Reports, 1: 167- 176.

13.       Hanafi, M. F. and Sapawe, N. (2020) Performance of nickel catalyst toward photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. Materials Today: Proceedings, 31(1): 257- 259.

14.     Choi, K. H., Park, S. Y., Park, B. J., and Jung, J. S. (2017). Recyclable Ag-coated Fe3O4@TiO2 for efficient photocatalytic oxidation of chlorophenol. Surface and Coatings Technology, 320: 240-245.

15.       Zhu, Y., Zhang, L., Gao, C. and Cao, L. (2000). The synthesis of nanosized TiO2 powder using a sol-gel method with TiCl4 as a precursor. Journal of Materials Science, 35: 4049-4054.

16.       Huang, K., Lv, Y., Zhang, W. and Sun, S. (2015). One-step synthesis of Ag3PO4/Ag photocatalyst with visible-light photocatalytic activity. Journal of Materials Research, 18: 939-945.

17.       Wan, S., Zhao, W., Xiong, D., Li, S., Ye, Y., and Du, L. (2022). Novel alginate immobilized TiO2 reusable functional hydrogel beads with high photocatalytic removal of dye pollutions. Journal of Polymer Engineering, 42(10).

18.       Tran N. B. T., Duong, N. B. and Le, N. L. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of magnetic Fe3O4/Zeolite NaA nanocomposite for the adsorption removal of methylene blue potential in wastewater treatment. Journal of Chemistry, 14.

19.       Ahmad, I. (2020). Comparative study of metal (Al, Mg, Ni, Cu and Ag) doped ZnO/g-C3N4 composites: Efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants. Separation and Purification Technology, 251: 117372.

20.       Shi, X., Tian, A., You, J., Yang, H., Wang, Y. and Xue, X. (2018). Degradation of organic dyes by a new heterogeneous Fenton reagent-Fe2GeS4 nanoparticle. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 353: 182-189.