Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 4 (2025): 1538

 

Research Article

 

Technische universiteit Delft-1-supported nickel oxide doped-titanium dioxide for oxidative removal of methylene blue

 

Ling Shing Liau1, Chui Min Ling1, Sie-Tiong Ha2, Nursyafreena Attan1, and Siew Ling Lee1,3*

 

1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

2Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jln Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

3Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials, Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: lsling@utm.my

 

Received: 14 April 2025; Revised: 15 July 2025; Accepted: 22 July 2025; Published: xx August 2025

 

Abstract

The elimination of organic dyes from wastewater is essential for mitigating environmental pollution. Conventional treatment methods often fail to completely remove these persistent pollutants. Among advanced oxidation processes, the Fenton-like reaction has garnered considerable attention for its effectiveness in dye degradation. This study reports the synthesis of Technische Universiteit Delft-1 (TUD-1) supported nickel oxide-doped titanium dioxide (NiO-TiO2/TUD-1) as a Fenton-like catalyst for methylene blue (MB) removal. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, and point of zero charge (pHPZC). The results confirmed the presence of the anatase TiO2 phase, successful NiO doping, and the incorporation of Ti species into TUD-1. Among the catalysts, 0.4 mol% NiO-TiO2/TUD-1 exhibited the highest MB removal efficiency (91.8%) at pH 12 under dark conditions within 2 hours. Its catalytic activity was approximately 2.5 times higher than that of unsupported NiO-TiO2. This performance is attributed to its high surface area (323 m2/g), mesoporous structure (~12 nm), and strong adsorption capacity (10.5 mg/g), which enhance dye uptake. The catalyst functions through a Ti4+/Ti3+ Fenton-like mechanism, reacting with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate hydroxyl radicals (•OH) that degrade MB. This catalyst demonstrates strong potential as a light-free solution for practical wastewater treatment.

 

Keywords: Fenton-like process, oxidative catalyst, TUD-1, titanium dioxide, nickel oxide

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