Eggshell/TiO2 Composite for Palm Oil Mill Secondary Effluent Treatment

Abstract

The integration of eggshell and titanium dioxide composite for treating palm oil mill secondary effluent (POMSE) was studied. This study is focusing on the effectiveness of the eggshell/titanium dioxide (ES/TiO₂) composite for adsorption capacity and photocatalytic process. Five samples of ES/TiO₂ composite were synthesized and compared with two control samples which are 100% TiO₂ and eggshell. The amount of TiO₂ catalyst loading was investigated, followed by the different ratios of ES/TiO₂ for POMSE removal. The result showed 1 g/mL of TiO₂ loading gives the higher performance of adsorption and photocatalytic performance compared to others. Referring to this loading, the optimum integration ratio of ES/TiO₂ composite was at 6:4 where the adsorption and photocatalytic performance was achieved 90%. It is believed that this integrated approach can be implemented in the industry in order to achieve a discharged standard of POMSE and helps to save the nature and environment so as not to be contaminated in the future.