Nanocellulose/TiO2 composites: preparation,
characterization and application in the photocatalytic
degradation of a potential endocrine
disruptor, mefenamic acid, in aqueous media
Nanocellulose (NC)-supported TiO2 nanoparticles, termed NCTs, were prepared by an ultrasonic impregnation
method. The as-synthesized NCTs were thoroughly characterized and studied for the photodegradation
of mefenamic acid (MEF), an anthranilic acid derivative drug. The adsorption potential of
NCTs increased with TiO2 loading and 10 wt% TiO2 NCT showed the highest sorption potential.
Adsorption kinetics of MEF onto NC and NCTs indicated that the equilibrium was reached within 50 min.
A pseudo-second-order model clearly represented the experimental kinetic data and demonstrated that
the MEF sorption was mainly chemisorption. Equilibrium sorption analysis indicated that the adsorption
followed the Langmuir model with a monolayer sorption capacity of 22.43 mg g−1 for 10 wt% TiO2 NCT.
The photocatalytic degradation rates of NCTs were identical with respect to their adsorption capacities,
and the apparent rate constant (kapp) values indicated that the amount of TiO2 in NCTs played a vital role
in the degradation of MEF. Furthermore, 10 wt% TiO2 NCT showed excellent catalytic activity and reusability
even after five cycles of photodegradation