• M. Sboui
  • M.A. Hussein
  • K.A. Alamry
  • Y.O. Al-Ghamdi
  • H. Gan
  • Z. Ji
  • M. Swaminathan
  • K. Zhang
  • Z. Li
  • Z. Yao
  • D.W. Bahnemann
  • J. Hong Pan
Increasing efforts have been devoted to cellulose-based multifunctional biomaterials for environmental applications. In this study, solvothermal method combined with impregnation reduction process of Cu2+ has been developed to create versatile Cu2O/H2Ti3O7/CP (cellulose paper) biocomposite films that demonstrates efficacy in treating wastewater from organic compounds, disinfecting it from microbes and also purifying the air from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). H2Ti3O7 nanosheets decorated with Cu2O nanoparticles exhibit an excellent visible-light responsibility. Furthermore, the Cu2O/H2Ti3O7/CP biocomposite film demonstrated enhanced efficacy in removing aniline in the liquid phase and 1-propanol in the gaseous phase compared to the H2Ti3O7/CP. This enhanced photocatalytic activity is primarily due to the synergistic effect between Cu2O and H2Ti3O7, which suppresses the recombination of charge carriers and improves their mobility. Reuse tests confirm the stability of the prepared hybrid photocatalyst. Moreover, the biocomposite exhibits good antimicrobial properties, which contributed to the effective inactivation of Escherichia coli. This proves its versatility as a photocatalyst for a broad range of biological and environmental applications. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
Original languageEnglish
Article number120902
JournalChemical Engineering Science
Volume302
Issue numberPart B
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025

    Research areas

  • Antibacterial property, Cellulose paper, Cu2O/H2Ti3O7 heterojunction photocatalyst, Photocatalytic air purification, Photocatalytic water treatment, Surface immobilization, Air cleaners, Aniline, Biological water treatment, Cellulose films, Decontamination, Photocatalytic activity, Wastewater reclamation, Wastewater treatment, Antibacterial properties, Biocomposite films, Cellulose papers, Cu2O/H2ti3O7 heterojunction photocatalyst, Environmental applications, Photo-catalytic, Photocatalytic activities, Escherichia coli, Air Cleaners, Cellulose, Film, Phases, Processes, Stability, Voc

ID: 127317138