Carbon dots-titanium oxide nanocomposite for effective treatment of crude oil-contaminated water

Abstract

This study examined the synthesis, characterization, and application of carbon dots-titanium oxide (CDs-TiO₂) nanocomposite for the treatment of crude oil-contaminated water. CDs were obtained from sawdust using a hydrothermal method, while TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via a green approach using avocado leaf extract and titanium tetraisopropoxide. The nanocomposite was formed by mixing CDs and TiO₂ nanoparticles in a 1:1 ratio. The synthesized materials were characterized using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Characterization results confirmed the successful integration of CDs and TiO₂ nanoparticles in the composite. They all displayed spherical shape nanostructures with particle sizes of 6,8 nm, 11.25 and 10.8 nm for CDs, TiONPs and the CD-TiONPs composites respectively. The synthesized CDs, TiO₂ NPs, and the nanocomposite were each applied for the treatment of crude oil contaminated water. The nanocomposite exhibited enhanced capacity for crude oil removal compared to either of its components. The nanocomposite exhibited high efficiency in removing crude oil from contaminated water, with a removal efficiency of up to 83 %.