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Improved Photocatalytic Activity of TiO₂ through MnFe₂O₄/Chitosan–Alginate Doping for Procion red MX-5B Degradation and Ecotoxicity Evaluation

Poedji Loekitowati Hariani, Addy Rachmat, Desnelli Desnelli, Annisah Falihah, Adelia Adelia, Salni Salni, Nabila Aprianti

Abstract


The development of photocatalytic materials for organic pollutant degradation has continued to advance. In this study, a MnFe₂O₄/Chitosan–Alginate@TiO₂ composite was synthesized, in which magnetic MnFe₂O₄ was encapsulated within a chitosan–alginate polymer matrix and doped with TiO₂. The composite’s crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, optical, and magnetic properties were characterized using XRD, SEM–EDX, UV–DRS, and VSM analyses. Optimization of Procion Red MX-5B (PRD) dye degradation was performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), with PRD concentration, pH, and irradiation time as independent variables. The composite exhibited strong magnetic behavior (magnetic moment: 44.63 emu/g) and a narrow band gap (2.20 eV). The photocatalytic degradation followed a quadratic model, with all variables showing significant effects (p-value < 0.05). The predicted optimal conditions, which include a PRD concentration of 45 mg/L, pH 3.3, and 59 min of irradiation time, resulted in a measured degradation efficiency of 99.71%. The composite demonstrated excellent stability after six recycling cycles. TOC removal of 84.30% confirmed substantial mineralization into inorganic compounds, such as CO₂ and H₂O, while ecotoxicity tests using green gram seeds germination indicated that the degradation products were non-toxic.

Keywords



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