Modification of natural chitosan with Fe and Ce cations as photocatalyst beads: Degradation of dye chemicals and textile wastewater under UVA light

The photocatalytic effect of ferrous and cerium loaded catalysts produced from chitosan beads (CB) was investigated for dye removal and textile wastewater degradation. Commercially available chitosan was initially shaped into beads form and modified with ferrous and cerium compounds. The amount of ferrous and cerium loaded on the chitosan beads were calculated as 22 mg Fe/g CB, 60 mg Ce/g CB, respectively. The chemical formation and morphology of the catalysts were characterized with SEM-EDS. Photocatalytic studies with UVA irradiation were carried out using 20 mg/L Direct Orange 46 (DO46) textile dye solution, 1 g/L catalyst and 10 mM H2O2 and the dye removal efficiencies for CB, Fe/CB and Ce/CB were obtained as 10%, 60% and 26%, respectively As a result of the characterization and photocatalytic studies, the produced Fe/CB was then used for the treatment of the textile industry wastewater and while 21% total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency was obtained, 30, 23 and 26% color removal efficiencies were calculated for 436, 525 and 620 nm wavelengths, respectively. •Chitosan (CS) was shaped into beads form and modified with Fe2+ and Ce3+ compounds.•Chitosan beads (CB) loaded with Fe2+ and Ce3+ acquired photocatalyst properties.•Fe/CB and Ce/CB catalysts worked effectively under UVA irradiation.•Fe/CB catalyst also exhibited mineralization efficiency for textile wastewater.•Comparative performance of catalysts emphasizes the novelty of degradation.