Immobilized Mo:TiO2 nanoparticles for humic acid removal in an aqueous medium using solar spectrum

The presence of humic acids and their compounds react with chlorinated residues during water disinfection processes and produce toxic halogenated hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The aim of this research work was to determine photocatalytic degradation of humic acid in an aqueous media using molybdenum-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Mo:TiO2 NPs) under the visible light spectrum. Mo:TiO2 nanomaterials were synthesized through mild hydrothermal techniques and characterized through powder XRD, SEM, DLS, and XPS. The effect of operational parameters including dopant percentage, the dosage of photocatalyst, contact time, and concentration of humic acid was investigated and optimized in the degradation process. Characterization results showed spherically shaped well crystalline-structured nanoparticles that enhance the photocatalytic activities. Among the nanomaterials, 1% Mo:TiO2 nanomaterials showed the highest degradation efficiencies up to 83%; however, the optimum conditions for the highest efficiency obtained for immobilized Mo:TiO2 NPs are different from slurry mode.